Murray Listening to Concerns

Want to give some advice to King Coach Andy Murray? Got a problem with his choice of goalie or his line changes?

Call the King postgame talk show on KSPN and vent your feelings. Murray’s listening.

Honest.

On his way home from Staples Center after games, Murray said he always listens to host Daryl Evans field calls, even after bad games.

“If you are prepared to listen when everybody wants to pat you on the back,” Murray said, “then you have to be prepared to listen when things go the other way.”

Murray says he’s not above considering what the fans suggest.

“Some of their questions are very intelligent,” he said. “I pay attention because you should never stop trying to learn.”

Murray had no trouble understanding how the fans felt Saturday night after the Kings surrendered four goals in the second period to the Washington Capitals. The Kings’ exit off the ice was accompanied by boos from the sellout crowd of 18,118.

“I told them,” said Murray of his talk to his players between periods, “that 18,118 people would like to come in and talk to you, but I’m first in line.”

The talk worked to a degree. The Kings limited to the Capitals to one shot and no goals in the final period, although they lost, 4-3.

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The questions about Rob Blake’s return from injury are over, but the questions about where he’ll finish this season are hotter than ever.

With Blake and the Kings seemingly at an impasse in contract negotiations and the March 13 trade deadline looming, Blake appears headed for a serious contender looking for the one player it needs to put it over the top.

Count the Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers among those interested.

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King center Jozef Stumpel was scratched because of a strained right hamstring. Also scratched were right wing Scott Thomas and defenseman Philippe Boucher.