Potvin Eager for Ice Time

Felix Potvin spent the All-Star break with his three children at a certain Southern California amusement park.

“When I told them I was traded to L.A., they think L.A. is Disneyland, so they were happy,” he said Saturday.

Almost as happy as he was when the Kings acquired him from the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday for a conditional draft pick.

Eager to play, Potvin arrived in Chicago on Friday. However, he will have to be patient before he makes his King debut. He last played before the All-Star break and was skating with a college team after the Canucks told him he was no longer in their plans. The Kings didn’t have ice time Saturday and won’t practice before today’s game against the Blackhawks, so Coach Andy Murray wants Potvin to practice with the team at least twice before deciding when he will play.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to practicing and playing games,” Potvin said. “I don’t think I’ve set a date but it shouldn’t take long. It’s not like I missed a month. It comes back quick.”

Murray said Potvin’s first chance might be Tuesday at Edmonton.

“It’s better for Felix and better for our team for him to get a couple of practices in,” said Murray, who drove to Madison, Wis., Saturday to watch his son’s hockey game.

Potvin, 29, helped the Canucks end last season with a rush that nearly carried them into the playoffs. However, the organization was wary of his inconsistency this season and decided to acquire Dan Cloutier from Tampa Bay.

“I’m not glad I’m out of there. The disappointing part is knowing the goal was to make the playoffs and the team is sitting nice,” he said. “It’s disappointing to leave a team in that situation but I’m fortunate to come to a team like the Kings that’s right in the middle of the playoff race. And they’re an exciting team to play for. Any time you see them, and any time we played them this year, you know they’re a good team and you fear them.”

Potvin was amused to learn King goalie Jamie Storr idolized him when Potvin broke into the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I talked to him this morning. That was funny,” Potvin said. “I told him, ‘I’m not even 30 yet.’ ”

TONIGHT

at Chicago

Noon, Fox Sports Net

* Site--United Center.

* Radio--KSPN (1110).

* Records--Kings 25-24-8-1, Blackhawks 23-27-5-3.

* Record vs. Blackhawks--0-0-1.

* Update--The Kings are 8-2 in their last 10 visits to Chicago and 9-1-1 against the Blackhawks in their last 11 games overall. Murray is considering one lineup change: restoring Aki Berg on defense. Storr, who stopped 21 shots in the Kings’ 4-0 victory at Minnesota on Friday, will start for the 17th time in 18 games. The Blackhawks routed the St. Louis Blues, 6-2, Friday, two days after an embarrassing 7-0 home loss to San Jose. They’re 10-13-2-1 at home, a far cry from their dominance at the old Chicago Stadium.