Taylor’s Not Looking, but He Will Be Listening

The search isn’t necessarily on for a gritty winger, but if one falls into Dave Taylor’s lap, he’ll deal.

Taylor, the Kings’ senior vice president and general manager, said Monday that he’s concerned about disrupting the chemistry of a team that is winning again.

“But if we could get a gritty player who demonstrates good leadership, we’d listen,” he said.

The names of wingers Shayne Corson of Montreal and Kelly Buchberger of Atlanta might fit that description and have been bandied about in trade rumors. As usual, Taylor refused to comment on either, saying, “It’s not fair to talk about players under contract, either to that player or to ours.”

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Taylor made a correction to the item he read in this space Monday regarding defenseman Garry Galley.

Because Galley can be an unrestricted free agent after the season, the Kings cannot retain his rights with an offer. They can only negotiate with him along with the NHL’s other teams.

Coach Andy Murray has recommended that the Kings do just that.

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Winger Brad Chartrand, who played 40 games and had five goals and 11 points with the Kings before being sent to Lowell of the AHL, was struck in the face with a puck Saturday night and suffered a broken jaw that will sideline him at least three weeks.

Chartrand had nine points in seven games with Lowell and was at the top of the list to be recalled to the Kings should an injury occur to one of the players on their active roster.