Galley in Line for New Contract

There was another winner in the Kings’ trade with Atlanta for wingers Kelly Buchberger and Nelson Emerson, though it might not be immediately apparent.

With defenseman Fran Kaberle a part of the trade, Garry Galley has become quite popular. “We’ll be talking with him about a contract,” said General Manager Dave Taylor.

Galley, nearing 37, came to camp in the best condition he has been in in years, recovered from off-season hernia surgery and intent on extending a career that dates to 1984. He won a job both on defense and with the power-play unit, and had nine goals and 18 assists going into Tuesday night’s game against the Mighty Ducks.

A month ago, King Coach Andy Murray talked about Galley having a future with the Kings.

“I think he deserves a new contract,” Murray said.

Taylor agreed and will make Galley one of the two unrestricted free agents with whom he tries to do off-season business.

The other is winger Marko Tuomainen, who figures to qualify as a Group VI free agent under a rule that grants freedom to any four-year player who has yet to participate in 80 NHL games. Tuomainen played four games with Edmonton in 1995 and toiled in the Oiler minor league system for two seasons under an NHL contract before playing in Finland for two seasons.

The Kings signed him as a free agent in the off-season and he has played 59 games for them. That makes him unlikely to reach the 76 he needs for the Kings to retain his rights.

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After taking a look in Monday’s practice, Murray moved Dan Bylsma from the fourth line--centered by Bob Corkum--to the third, centered by Ian Laperriere, and moved Craig Johnson from the third line to the fourth.

The idea is to add Johnson’s speed to the Corkum-Buchberger unit, and add Bylsma’s physical presence to the line that includes Laperriere and, on Tuesday night, Brad Chartrand.