Courtnall Soups Up King Attack

King General Manager Dave Taylor is at it again.

In a move to improve the offense and overall speed, Taylor on Friday signed unrestricted free-agent right wing Russ Courtnall to a one-year contract.

Courtnall, a 14-year NHL veteran with 279 goals, agreed to a base salary reportedly worth $800,000 with incentives that could push it over $1.1 million.

“Russ brings the elements of leadership and speed to the Kings,” said Taylor, who has received strong play from off-season acquisitions Jozef Stumpel, Luc Robitaille, Garry Galley and Sandy Moger. “In acquiring Russ, we’ve added another quality veteran with a lot of experience.”

Talks with Courtnall began in July but did not get serious until last week, when the Kings decided it was time to add a proven player. Courtnall is a former teammate of King Coach Larry Robinson.

Courtnall, 32, began last season with Vancouver before being traded to the New York Rangers. He played in 61 games and finished with 11 goals and 35 points. He was regarded as one of the top unrestricted free agents during the summer but saw his stock go down once the season began.

“I’m happy to be back playing. . . . I was expecting to sign a better deal because I turned down some offers from New York for a lot more money,” said Courtnall, who for the last five years has lived during the off-season with his wife, Paris Vaughan--the daughter of legendary jazz singer Sarah Vaughan--in Calabasas.

Courtnall did not practice Friday because he had to take a physical, but he could be in the lineup before the Kings complete their current six-game home stand.