Yachmenev Signs One-Year Contract

Right wing Vitali Yachmenev finally ended his holdout Tuesday when he signed a one-year contract for an undisclosed amount. Yachmenev, a restricted free agent who earned $300,000 last season, had been working out on his own in the Los Angeles area since the start of training camp.

“He’s going to have to prove that he belongs [with the Kings],” General Manager Dave Taylor. “He had a good first year . . . but last year his goal total dropped from 19 to 10.”

Yachmenev will join the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League and play with them during their current trip in Canada. Taylor said Yachmenev will be monitored the next two weeks to determine his conditioning.

“We talked to him about earning a spot here,” Taylor said. “Because he has [not been with a team], he’s several weeks behind.”

*

Brian Burke, the NHL’s director of hockey operations, attended Tuesday night’s game against the New York Islanders at the Forum and said the league checked the size of the pads worn by both team’s goaltenders without finding any violations. Burke added that the NHL plans to check at least three times with each team this season. So far no goalie has been caught with oversized pads.

*

The Kings’ scratches were defenseman Sean O’Donnell and forwards Roman Vopat, Brad Smyth and Donald MacLean. MacLean was kept out because of a minor knee injury.

Center Ray Ferraro, on injured reserve because of torn cartilage in his left knee, has resumed skating with a fitted brace and hopes to be back with the team in two to three weeks.

The Kings will complete their six-game homestand Thursday when they host the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings at the Forum.