Physical Center Kelly Obtained From Devils

It has been a busy two weeks for King General Manager Dave Taylor, who traded star defenseman Rob Blake and obtained goalie Felix Potvin in separate deals.

But Taylor showed Tuesday that he’s not finished, getting center Steve Kelly from the New Jersey Devils for future considerations.

Originally picked in the first round of the 1995 entry draft by the Edmonton Oilers, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Kelly had two goals, two assists and 21 penalty minutes this season for the Devils in 24 games.

Kelly, who also played for the Tampa Bay Lightning, has six goals, eight assists and 77 penalty minutes in his 110 career games.

He will wear No. 11 with the Kings.

Asked what he expects of the 24-year-old Kelly, King Coach Andy Murray said, “To skate and play physical.”

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The Kings seem to be losing bodies as fast as they are acquiring them.

Defenseman Mathieu Schneider, suffering from a strained right groin, was put on the injured list, retroactive to Feb. 23.

Schneider had already sat out Saturday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Center Eric Belanger was sent home before Tuesday’s game because of back spasms. Belanger had first experienced the pain in practice on Monday.

And the Kings also lost right wing Scott Thomas, who suffered a contusion of the left thigh in his second shift on the ice and is listed as day-to-day.

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Ziggy Palffy’s short-handed goal against the Predators was his first of the season and the team’s sixth.