Blake Makes U-Turn, Takes Back the ‘C’

With enough distractions around the Kings and only eight days left until the regular-season opener at Washington, Rob Blake decided to remove one Tuesday night.

Before the Kings’ 2-0 win over Phoenix at Staples Center, Blake took advantage of Coach Andy Murray’s offer to have the “C” denoting his captaincy sewed back on his sweater.

He wore the “C” for the game, with Luc Robitaille and Kelly Buchberger wearing the “A” as alternate captains.

Blake had removed the letter after the Kings’ ultimatum to sign a three-year, $22.5-million contract extension or risk being traded.

“I took management’s decision personally,” he said. “Then I decided not to. They made a business decision.”

He said his decision was made on Tuesday, and Murray said Blake went to his office in Staples Center and told him minutes before the Kings were to go on the ice to warm up.

“That’s why I didn’t want to name anybody else,” Murray said. “ . . . I was probably one of the few who believed he would change his mind. He’s a sensitive player and cares for the team and his teammates. It’s not only best for him, but it’s best for the team.”

Dave Taylor, the King senior vice president and general manager, said Blake had not approached him about the move.

“We view Rob as captain of our team,” said Taylor, who added that there had been no additional talks between the team and Blake’s agent, Ron Salcer, since the ultimatum two weeks ago.

“It’s nice to see him make this decision, but I don’t think his putting on the ‘C’ or taking the ‘C’ off has any effect on the negotiations.”

Said Blake: “I am captain of the Kings and I intend to be captain until my days in L.A. are over . . . whether it’s [years] or a day or an hour.”

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Asked about whether negotiations had reopened with Jozef Stumpel, Taylor said, “No comment.”

Stumpel rejected a take-it-or-leave-it offer for a three-year contract on Friday.

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Lubomir Visnovsky and Craig Johnson had goals for the Kings before an announced 9,816. Visnovsky’s came on a second-period power play.

Jamie Storr turned in the shutout, making 20 saves.

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The Kings have approached the agent for Marko Tuomainen, who came to camp on a tryout basis, about a contract for his client.

Tuomainen was scratched Tuesday night after a slash in Saturday’s exhibition win over San Jose in Bakersfield opened a gash in his upper lip that required 10 stitches.

He is by trade a right winger, but has also played center and left wing since camp opened.