Team Feels Chill From Draft

It’s a numbers game, and in this case the number is five. That’s how many Kings have been exposed in the waiver draft.

“It’s probably the first time in the organization’s history that we’ve had to make some tough decisions in the waiver draft,” said Coach Larry Robinson of the machinations that developed in creating a list of 18 skaters and two goalies who are protected from the draft.

Dave Taylor, the Kings’ vice president and general manager, called it an indication of the team’s depth.

That protected list did not include forwards Ray Ferraro, Nathan LaFayette and Dan Bylsma and defensemen Jaroslav Modry and Mark Visheau, who are available to other NHL teams. LaFayette scored the game-winner in a 2-1 exhibition victory over San Jose on Saturday night in Salt Lake City.

Also, goalies Manny Legace and Frederic Chabot were left exposed. Both have already been sent to the minor leagues.

Some of the decisions are apparent. Modry and Visheau are older players with long careers in the minor leagues and both are injured. Modry suffered a deep thigh bruise in an exhibition against the Mighty Ducks and has not played since Sept. 22, and Visheau suffered a jammed thumb in a fight Monday with the Ducks’ Stu Grimson.

The Kings said Saturday that surgery is expected on Visheau, who has had a strong training camp and leads the NHL in penalty minutes in the exhibition season with 71. He has been called “the most difficult decision” in compiling the protected list by Taylor.

Ferraro is 34 and had off-season knee surgery. His age and salary ($1.75 million) might keep him from being drafted.

LaFayette and Bylsma both started last season in the minor leagues, then came to the Kings. Neither is projected in the top two lines, but both could have roles if they make it through the draft.

The Kings can’t choose a player until the second round in the waiver draft.

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Defenseman Rob Blake was scratched from the game against the Sharks because of a hip flexor. . . . The Kings play their final exhibition tonight, against Vancouver in Bakersfield.