Visnovsky Is No Pushover

It was July in Minnesota, and Andy Murray was at a hockey camp, watching son Brady and several NHL players work out.

That’s where he first saw Lubomir Visnovsky, the Kings’ fourth-round choice in the entry draft only a month earlier.

“I called Dave Taylor [King senior vice president and general manager] after practice and said, ‘Dave, I don’t want to sound too excited. This is only July, I realize, but this kid is the best player on the ice here,’ ” Murray said Friday.

Visnovsky is still standing out. He has two goals and 10 points in his first 20 NHL games, and his plus-15 on the plus/minus scale is the best among rookies and second-best overall in the league.

Few opponents have pushed the diminutive defenseman off the puck. Instead, he has found a way to lessen the impact of most hits, much as a fighter slips a punch.

“In Minnesota, they told me to learn not to be scared,” said Visnovsky, with center Jozef Stumpel interpreting his Slovakian.

At 25, he has learned a new game.

“There aren’t as many ‘technical’ players here as in Europe,” he said. “Here, there are more physical players.”

At 5 feet 10, 180 pounds, Visnovsky doesn’t initiate contact, though he has not shied away from it. His play involves vision and puck distribution.

“He’s like a quarterback who can look downfield and sees opportunities, not just the defensive backs,” Murray said.

*

After practice Friday, each King found a book in his locker, courtesy of captain Rob Blake. Titled “Wooden: A Lifetime of Observation and Reflection On and Off the Court,” it was written by former UCLA coach John Wooden and, Blake said, includes commentary on team play.

“It’s stuff we can use, about sacrifice and things like that,” he said.

TODAY

vs. Colorado, 1 p.m.

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Records--Kings 10-6-4-0, Avalanche 14-3-3-0.

* Record vs. Avalanche (1999-2000)--3-1-0.

* Update--Two of Colorado’s three losses have come against Phoenix, including a 6-3 blowout Thursday night that broke a six-game unbeaten streak. Patrick Roy, the NHL’s all-time winner in goal, did not play in that game but figures to play today. But teammates Adam Deadmarsh (concussion), Peter Forsberg (rib injury), Chris Dingman (knee) and Chris Drury (knee) won’t. The Kings have a seven-game unbeaten streak (5-0-2).

* Tickets--(888) 526-4752.