KINGS FACTS

1999-2000 RECORD: 39-31-12-4, 94 points.

LAST SEASON: Second in the Pacific Division, fifth in the Western Conference, swept in the first round of the playoffs by Detroit.

WHO’S NEW: D Mathieu Schneider (free agent), LW Stu Grimson (free agent), G Steve Passmore (trade), C Steve Reinprecht (rookie), C Eric Belanger (rookie), D Lubomir Visnovsky (rookie).

WHO’S GONE: D Garry Galley (not re-signed), D Sean O’Donnell (expansion draft), LW Steve McKenna (expansion draft).

PROJECTED LINES: First line--Luc Robitaille (36 goals, 74 points), Eric Belanger (rookie), Ziggy Palffy (27, 66); second line--Craig Johnson (9, 23), Bryan Smolinski (20, 56), Glen Murray (29, 62); third line--Kelly Buchberger (7, 20), Bob Corkum (5, 11), Ian Laperriere (9, 22); fourth line, Jason Blake (5, 23), Steve Reinprecht (rookie), Nelson Emerson (15, 35).

PROJECTED DEFENSE PAIRINGS: Rob Blake (18, 57) and Mathieu Schneider (10, 30); Mattias Norstrom (1, 14) and Jere Karalahti (6, 16) or Aki Berg (3, 16); Lubomir Visnovsky (rookie) and Jaroslav Modry (5, 9).

GOALTENDERS: Stephane Fiset (20-15-7, 2.75 goals-against); Jamie Storr (18-15-5, 2.53); Steve Passmore (7-12-3, 2.72).

KEY TO SEASON: Getting Jozef Stumpel signed in time for him to be a factor can help increase scoring, especially Ziggy Palffy’s output. Getting a goalie to step forward and take charge without being injured can help bring consistency. And avoiding a drought like last December and January is a must.

OUTLOOK: This is a better team, if Stumpel signs, and it’s faster and more exciting on defense. Scoring that was hinted at in the exhibition games can be spread among all four lines, and there is more depth than in years past. Improvement is possible, but nowhere near that of last season. Still, who improves on a 25-point gain in one year?

TICKETS: (888) 546-4752.

ROSTER

CENTERS

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No. Player Season Ht., Wt. Comment 25 Eric Belanger 1 6-0, 177 In a tough spot 19 Bob Corkum 11 6-0, 222 Best shape of his life 28 Steve Reinprecht 1 6-0, 190 Centers energy line 21 Bryan Smolinski 9 6-1, 202 Two-way standout 15 Jozef Stumpel 10 6-3, 215 Still unsigned

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RIGHT WINGS

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No. Player Season Ht., Wt. Comment 9 Kelly Buchberger 15 6-2, 210 Tough to play against 29 Brad Chartrand 2 5-11, 185 Does everything asked 7 Nelson Emerson 11 5-11, 180 Anchors energy line 27 Glen Murray 10 6-3, 225 Must gain consistency 33 Ziggy Palffy 8 5-10, 180 Any line he’s on is No. 1 12 Marko Tuomainen 3 6-3, 218 Versatility helps

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LEFT WINGS

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No. Player Season Ht., Wt. Comment 11 Jason Blake 2 5-10, 185 Speed to burn 32 Stu Grimson 12 6-5, 227 Take care of Robitaille, Palffy 23 Craig Johnson 7 6-2, 200 Being asked to score 22 Ian Laperriere 8 6-1, 201 Recovered from knee injury 20 Luc Robitaille 14 6-1, 215 Found Fountain of Middle Age 17 Tomas Vlasak 1 5-10, 175 Still unknown quantity

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DEFENSEMEN

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No. Player Season Ht., Wt. Comment 4 Rob Blake 12 6-4, 220 Back on with the “C.” 5 Aki Berg 6 6-3, 220 Bigger, stronger, faster 8 Jere Karalahti 2 6-2, 210 Is he in shape yet? 10 Mathieu Schneider 12 5-10, 192 Big power-play addition 14 Mattias Norstrom 8 6-1, 205 Different dancing partner 24 Lubomir Visnovsky 1 5-10, 180 Played his way onto team 44 Jaroslav Modry 7 6-2, 215 Quiet and underrated

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GOALIES

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No. Player Season Ht., Wt. Comment 1 Jamie Storr 7 6-2, 195 Time to step up 31 Steve Passmore 3 5-9, 165 Newcomer pushing to play 35 Stephane Fiset 12 6-1, 215 Starts injured

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