Kings Put Priority on Team Spirit

King center Jozef Stumpel, acquired with right wing Sandy Moger in a trade with Boston last month, agreed to a two-year contract Monday.

Stumpel will make $1.4 million this season and $1.6 million next season, and has an option on a third year based on his play.

As the Kings report to training camp today, Stumpel already is considered a significant addition to the team’s chemistry. That’s partly because forward Dimitri Khristich, one of the players the Kings traded for Stumpel, was not popular with his teammates.

“Last season, we weren’t a team that got along very well off the ice and when you do that, you don’t have everyone pulling together on the ice,” captain Rob Blake said. “I think, obviously, [the Stumpel] trade was made for one reason.”

Khristich led the Kings in scoring last season but had his differences with Blake. He also did not get much support from his teammates when Barry Potomski whacked him in the face with a stick during practice, forcing him to miss more than a week of playing time.

“You can see how the guys now are more talkative and vocal,” Blake said after the team’s informal workout Monday at the Iceoplex in North Hills. “It’s a good atmosphere coming in and you want to come to the rink.”

King Notes

Restricted free agents Ian Laperriere and Philippe Boucher signed contracts, Laperriere for three years and Boucher for one. Goaltender Jamie Storr, who will back up Stephane Fiset, is unsigned but is expected to report to camp today. Storr is seeking a one-year deal worth more than the team offered before trading Byron Dafoe.