MacLean, Chabot Win Jobs

At the start of training camp, forward Donald MacLean and goaltender Frederic Chabot were considered longshots to make the Kings’ regular-season roster.

But with solid play and some additional ice time because of injuries to teammates, both will be in uniform for the team’s opener tonight at Pittsburgh.

MacLean, a second-round pick by the Kings in the 1995 draft, began camp overshadowed by Pavel Rosa, his teammate last season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. But Rosa suffered a concussion in the second exhibition game and MacLean took advantage of his increased playing time by leading the team in preseason scoring with four goals and six points.

Chabot, signed as a free agent only days before the start of training camp, was slowed by an ankle injury early and did not play in an exhibition game until Jamie Storr suffered a groin injury Sept. 23 against Vancouver at Tacoma, Wash. Chabot made the most of his opportunity with impressive victories over San Jose and the Mighty Ducks.

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Storr signed a one-year contract with the Kings. Financial terms were not disclosed.

After the signing, he was placed on injured reserve because of the groin injury.

TONIGHT’S GAME

At Pittsburgh

Opponent--Pittsburgh Penguins.

Site--Civic Arena.

Time--4.

TV--Fox Sports West.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records (1996-97 season)--Kings 28-43-11, Penguins 38-36-8.

Record vs. Penguins (1996-97 season)--0-2.

King update--After winning six of seven exhibition games for their best preseason since 1980, the Kings will begin the regular season with confidence. They will be tested early against the Penguins, who swept both games last season. The Kings believe they cannot afford to start slowly because their first five games are on the road. “Playing on the road was a big problem for us last season,” Coach Larry Robinson said. “We can either get off to a good start and get a good read on what we have or we can go 0-5 and dig a big hole for ourselves.” Goaltender Stephane Fiset, who was 13-24-5 with four shutouts last season, will start tonight.

Penguin update--With Mario Lemieux retired, the Penguins should be tougher defensively under new Coach Kevin Constantine. Jaromir Jagr, who is expected to sign a new contract this week, will be their top offensive force. However, Ron Francis could be in for a productive season because he will be counted on to fill some of the scoring void with Lemieux’s departure. Last season, Pittsburgh lost to Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs.