Blake’s Efforts Belie Trade Talk

The ice is an escape for King defenseman Rob Blake, which is one of the reasons he came to work Thursday night smiling.

Nobody can ask a question about a trade or about his contract when he has boards and glass around him.

And his play, with 16 goals and 29 assists en route to a possible second Norris Trophy season, reflects a calm that shows he has managed to separate business from playing.

They project to a 27-goal, 49-assist season, and he has never reached either total.

“When people use [concern about a trade or contract difficulty], it’s just an excuse for poor play,” he said Thursday. “It’s a joke. It’s not a big factor when I’m playing the game.

“Why should that factor in anything on the ice when you’re playing? You’ve got a job to do and you do your job, regardless of what’s said in the papers or what’s on TV.”

It doesn’t affect his role as team captain, which involves several things, including consultation concerning players available in trades. A week ago, he was talking about a bright King future with no regard as to whether he would be a part of it.

“For me to do the job, I have to do that,” he said. “I have to think that way until something happens. The way I prepare for a game, the way I prepare in relation to the team, doesn’t change because of the stuff going on around me.

“I’ll do the job until I’m gone, and I’ll do it the way I see fit. And in thinking of the future, and thinking of the things we need, I’ll voice my opinion from Day One until it’s time for me to go.”

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Defenseman Jere Karalahti was scratched for the fourth game in a row, reflecting the continued good play of Aki Berg.