Trade Winds Swirl Around Erratic Audette

Dave Taylor, the Kings’ senior vice president and general manager, said Thursday that he had initiated calls to several teams about Donald Audette, but that no trade was imminent.

Audette, who has asked to be traded because of diminished playing time, was in the lineup Thursday against the New York Rangers, playing right wing on the second line with center Bryan Smolinski and left wing Glen Murray, who switched from the right to accommodate Audette.

“He’s playing [Thursday night] and we hope he plays well because we’re trying to win,” he said.

Coach Andy Murray has had frequent talks with Audette, prodding him to play a different style than the offensive-minded game that has sustained him through 10 seasons.

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The Staples Center ice is improved after the extra work that was done to it earlier in the week, but problems persist, with some repairs necessary during the first period Thursday night.

Lee Zeidman, vice president of operations for the building, has directed that Zamboni work be increased before the ice is re-covered for other events, and suggested the basketball-hockey doubleheaders in the building have the hockey game first to allow more time to groom the ice.