Coach Downplays Escape Clause

The Kings held their final practice of the season Friday at Iceoplex in North Hills and it is more than likely that Coach Larry Robinson will return next season, even though he has a clause in his contract that gives him the option to step down after Sunday’s final game at Colorado.

“What is there to be uptight or upset about? I’ve made my decision [to return],” said Robinson, whose representative met with Bob Sanderman, the Kings’ chief executive officer and governor, on Thursday to work out a similar option for next season.

“Everyone thinks it is a big deal, but it’s not a huge deal. All it is, is a little clause in the contract that wasn’t there and has to be put in.”

It’s debatable whether Robinson, who is in the second year of a four-year contract, wants the clause added because of a lack of faith in King management or in himself. The only thing certain is that Robinson wants some changes made before next season.

“The most important thing that we have to address is that for two years in a row we are over 300 man games lost to injuries,” he said. “I don’t think that is just a coincidence. We have to take a long hard look at it and do something about it.”

Getting bigger players and reevaluating the team’s conditioning programs are two areas Robinson wants addressed.

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Goaltenders Byron Dafoe and Stephane Fiset will not play tonight against San Jose or Sunday against Colorado, and both face surgery during the off-season. Dafoe is scheduled to have an operation on his right knee early next week. Fiset’s surgery is not definite, but he may have it for his abdominal strain after consulting with two doctors.

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Team President Tim Leiweke and Robinson will meet and answer questions from season-ticket holders at 2 p.m. today before the game against San Jose at the Forum, which begins at 5.