Jump Easier if He’s Given a Parachute

King Coach Larry Robinson cautioned against reading too much into his desire to add another option clause to his contract that would free him to leave after next season, as well as to get assurances management will make the necessary moves to accelerate the team’s rebuilding.

He insisted he’s not trying to pressure owners Philip Anschutz and Edward Roski to spend money; he said they’ve been active in the community and, “Their word is gold. They said if we were interested in getting free agents, they were behind us. They even came to us and said, ‘Is there anything more we can do?’ ”

Nor is it an expression of no-confidence in management. “It’s not really a huge deal,” he said. “It’s not so much their side as my side. I’ve never done and never thought of making long-term plans. I could be at the same juncture next year and say, ‘I want to go home and have a normal life.’ ”

Actually, it is a huge deal.

Robinson may not be a long-term guy, but the Kings are a long-term renovation project, even if they win the draft lottery and get top prospect Joe Thornton. Robinson said the Kings are better than they were year ago because “we were kind of a one-dimensional team before, and now I’d like to think we can play against most styles and any way the other team wants to play.” Play it, sure. Win at it? Not often enough. There’s still no true first line, no go-to guy or offensive depth, and Thornton alone won’t change that.

As for the owners’ willingness to trade for high-caliber, high-salaried players, the chief example--Kevin Stevens--has hardly been a rousing success. The key free-agent signing was Ed Olczyk, who was dealt to Pittsburgh for Glen Murray. Spending is one thing. Spending wisely is another.

The Kings are asking fans to make a financial commitment by buying tickets, and to make an emotional commitment by remaining patient after four consecutive playoff misses. The owners are asking the city of Los Angeles to make a commitment toward building a new arena. If Robinson doesn’t also make a commitment, the whole thing falls apart.

If he doesn’t get the extra escape clause, he could exercise an option to leave after this season. He would take with him the little credibility and stability this franchise has built. Try and lure free agents here without Robinson, who is widely respected around the NHL.

“If he leaves, first of all, you’re looking at a new guy coming in and it kind of scrambles things,” center Ray Ferraro said. “I would guess he wants an escape clause in case management doesn’t decide to make any free-agent moves. This has been tough on him. He was so used to winning.

“If they’re not going to try to add people, what’s the point of playing? This team has 65 points because we’re a 65-point team.”

Robinson considers his bosses’ word gold, so why ask for another parachute? That doesn’t show the same commitment and patience the Kings are asking fans and players to make. Then again, maybe that word is only fool’s gold.

STARS IN THEIR EYES

The Dallas Stars still have the Colorado Avalanche in their sights, a statement that would have been ludicrous a year ago, when the Stars were last in the Central Division with 66 points and the Avalanche was on its way to winning the Stanley Cup.

A 36-point turnaround by the Stars has made the battle to be seeded first in the Western Conference surprisingly close, one that might be settled when the teams meet Friday at Dallas. A loss to the Ducks and ties against the Kings and Phoenix have left the Stars three points behind Colorado.

“It’s fun chasing somebody. That’s what’s keeping us going,” Coach Ken Hitchcock said. “We knew this point of our schedule was going to be very tough, but if we’re making them nervous, great. What we’re more concerned with is getting our ‘A’ game out there and trying to get a lot of people back from injuries, so our game isn’t in place.”

Getting winger Brent Gilchrist, defenseman Derian Hatcher and goalie Andy Moog integrated in the lineup will make a strong team more formidable.

PAR FOR THE COYOTES’ COURSE

To earn a playoff spot, the Phoenix Coyotes had to become more disciplined on defense and on the golf course.

Entranced with the weather after living in frigid Winnipeg, players often stayed out in the sun too long and became dehydrated when they were out on the course. The resulting loss of fluid sapped their energy on the ice.

“You take for granted you can just go out and do it, but if you spend a couple of hours on the golf course in 80-plus degree weather and get dehydrated, you can’t compete,” said Bobby Smith, the Coyotes’ general manager. “[The weather] had to have been a problem at the beginning of the year, whether or not players realize it.

“I think players and coaches limited themselves largely. They’ve realized this is a lot more important, and we’ve had results.”

Emphasizing defense has also enabled the Coyotes to stage a second-half turnaround. They were four games under .500 at the All-Star break and were tied with Chicago for the last Western Conference playoff spot; since then, they have surged as high as two games over .500. They have also pared their goals-against average from 3.22 to 2.90.

“Players really accepted the challenge of recognizing the commitment it takes to be successful,” Smith said. “We have some demons to exorcise. This franchise hasn’t won a first-round playoff series since 1985, and we have some very good hockey players who have never been to the second round.”

SLAP SHOTS

The Hartford Courant reported businessman Michael Largue, who tried to buy the Whalers three years ago, met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman last week to discuss saving the team and will meet with Bettman again this week. Largue is unlikely to succeed unless owner Peter Karmanos, who announced he would move the club, decides to sell. . . . Kirk Muller hasn’t been the catalyst the Florida Panthers hoped. He’s playing on a badly swollen ankle and has only one assist in eight games. . . . Phoenix defenseman Gerald Diduck isn’t the only successful hockey player in his family. His sister, Judy, played for the victorious Canadian team in the women’s world championships.

The Washington Capitals, on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1981-82, will raise ticket prices when they move next season. Prices now range from $12 to $45 but will be $19 to $60 in their new home. Nice timing, guys. . . . Joe Murphy didn’t endear himself to the St. Louis Blues when he overslept and missed a team meeting, but he made amends by scoring a goal in each of the next two games. “It’s amazing what an hour of sleep can do for you,” teammate Al MacInnis said. . . . The Detroit Red Wings, who have center Sergei Fedorov playing defense, had left wing Brendan Shanahan at center last weekend.

Mario Lemieux phoned Tampa Bay Lightning center John Cullen to offer encouragement as Cullen battles lymphoma. Lemieux overcame Hodgkin’s disease several years ago. . . . Flyer right wing Mikael Renberg needed plastic surgery and more than 200 stitches to repair a facial cut caused by an errant skate blade Sunday. He’s expected to miss at least one game. . . . Mark Messier will probably sit out the New York Rangers’ final games to rest a sore left thigh.