Revolving Door Is Already in High Gear

“Ready to go? I’m ready to go,” Pierre Gauthier announced. He came to training camp as an answer and left for Springfield and the American Hockey League as a question.

Olli Jokinen returns as neither.

Or both.

The Kings, who have been shut out in three of their last four games, including the last two at home, said Monday that Jokinen was being recalled from Springfield, where he had three goals and nine points.

Jokinen, 6 feet 2 and 198 pounds, rejoins the club today and will be in the lineup Thursday night when the Kings take on St. Louis at the Great Western Forum.

“We’ve got to get somebody in there who can make plays,” Coach Larry Robinson said. “Olli is a playmaker and he has good size, and those are the two things that are hurting us right now.”

Robinson has talked of a lack of size at center in the absence of Jozef Stumpel, who hasn’t played in the last seven games, since owning up to a hip muscle injury.

Stumpel led the Kings with 79 points last season, but was pointless in the first four games. His line, which includes Glen Murray and Vladimir Tsyplakov, has three goals and four points in 11 games after leading the Kings last season.

Yanic Perreault has replaced Stumpel with Murray and Tsyplakov, and Ray Ferraro has played on Perreault’s normal line with Josh Green and Luc Robitaille. Though Robinson said plans are incomplete, Jokinen will be inserted on that line.

“I’m not going to say that this is a permanent move,” Robinson said. “I still think a kid his age has got to play, and I’m not sure that he’s ready for the jump just yet, but until Stumpel gets back, this is a good chance for him to get some NHL experience, especially since we’re not creating a lot offensively.

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Ian Laperriere, who had been centering the checking line, is expected to be cleared to play Thursday, which means Russ Courtnall will return to winger.

Laperriere, who participated in a hard workout Monday, has a brace on his left knee, in which there is a partially torn ligament.

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Green, who has been living at an airport hotel, was told Monday that it might be wise for him to seek more permanent lodging, an indication that his play over the first 11 games has been good enough to keep him around.

“That’s always a good thing to hear,” said Green, who has one goal in playing seven of the 11 games. “But I know that I can’t rest. I still have to work to keep a spot on the team.”