Kings Renew Recycling Program

Who says you can’t go home again?

Garry Galley and Luc Robitaille did it last off-season and Thursday, former King Steve Duchesne returned to the franchise he began his NHL career with, agreeing to a three-year deal with a fourth-year player option worth $3.75 million a season.

Duchesne, who turned 33 on Tuesday, played with St. Louis last season and helped the Blues to a first-round playoff sweep of the Kings.

But as an unrestricted free agent, Duchesne received no offer from the Blues and when the Kings called, he jumped at the opportunity to move back to Los Angeles.

Duchesne’s deal puts him among the elite defensemen in the league. His average annual salary does not top former St. Louis teammate Al MacInnis’ $5-million average with the Blues but it does top Gary Suter’s three-year, $10-million contract signed with San Jose on Wednesday.

“I’m very happy with the deal and I’m happy to be back in L.A.,” said Duchesne, who had 14 goals and 56 points last season. “The reason why I wanted to come back was because I really like the team. [The Kings] are a big team . . . that works hard and plays with the style that [Coach] Larry Robinson wants.”

Duchesne was sent to the Philadelphia Flyers along with center Steve Kasper in 1991 in exchange for forward Jari Kurri and defenseman Jeff Chychrun.

The Kings tried to get Duchesne before the start of last season but were unable to work a deal with the Ottawa Senators, who eventually traded him to St. Louis.

“We would have loved to have him last year as well,” said Robinson, who teamed with Duchesne on the Kings’ blue line for two seasons before retiring as a player.

“Steve [gives] us if not the best, then one of the best corps [of defensemen] in the NHL. We’ve said all along that we had to improve our power play and getting [Duchesne] does that.”

Last season, Duchesne ranked among the league leaders with 24 power-play assists, and he has scored 20 or more goals four times in his 12-year career.

In signing Duchesne, the Kings now have nine quality defensemen on their roster. Duchesne joins Norris Trophy winner Rob Blake, Mattias Norstrom, Aki Berg, Sean O’Donnell, Phillipe Boucher, Doug Zmolek, Galley and Doug Bodger, acquired in a trade with New Jersey last week.

“We felt that the players we already had on the blue line were a strength,” said General Manager Dave Taylor, who also played with Duchesne with the Kings. “But we feel now that we’re at an elite status. We have a lot of options.”

Duchesne now will be reunited with Robitaille, a close friend who spoke to him about his possible return to Los Angeles during the playoffs, and Robinson, his childhood hero.

But probably the biggest key for Duchesne in making his decision was the direction the Kings seem to be headed.

“I’m glad to be a part of a team with a lot of class,” said Duchesne, who scored 85 goals in his first five seasons with the Kings.

“It’s good to have solid [people] like [Taylor and Robinson]. I think that is very important. It makes you feel appreciated and when that happens, you perform better and you want to do better.”

So after two days of free-agent signings, the Kings already have addressed one of their needs in signing Duchesne to boost an inconsistent power play. But Robinson says that Duchesne is more than an offensive threat.

“He doesn’t get enough credit for his defense,” Robinson said. “He’s a real solid player. . . . Teams better be ready because you’re not going to score a lot of goals on us next season.”

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Steve Duchesne Profile

* BACKGROUND: Born June 30, 1965 . . . 5 feet 11, 195 pounds . . . Defenseman . . . Played with Kings from 1986-91, with Philadelphia for the 1991-92 season, with Quebec for the 1992-93 season, with St. Louis from 1993-1995, with Ottawa from 1996-97 and with St. Louis again last season . . . Named to NHL All-Rookie team in 1986-87 and made the all-star team in 1989, 1990 and 1993 . . . Compiled career high in points in the 1992-93 season with Quebec, with 20 goals and 62 assists for 82 points . . . Career high for goals (25) came in 1988-89 with the Kings.

STATISTICS

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Games Goals Assists Points 1997-98 80 14 42 56 Career Avg. 70.4 16.8 36.3 53.2

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