Kings, Playing Catch-Up, Get Heinze

In their first effort to replace the scoring and power-play production they lost when Luc Robitaille signed with Detroit, the Kings on Tuesday signed unrestricted free-agent right wing Steve Heinze to a three-year deal worth $6 million.

Heinze, 31, began last season with the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets and played 65 games for them before he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres March 13. The 5-foot-11, 202-pound native of Lawrence, Mass., scored 27 goals and 54 points in 79 games, including 15 power-play goals. He had a plus/minus rating of minus 13.

In the playoffs, he scored three goals for the Sabres--all on the power play--and had seven points in 13 games, with 10 penalty minutes.

“Steve Heinze is a proven NHL scorer who will provide some balance to our top lines,” King General Manager Dave Taylor said in a statement released by the club. “He is a valuable player on special teams and will also bring some veteran leadership to our club.”

Heinze was not available for comment.

Heinze was chosen 60th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1988 entry draft. He made his NHL debut with the Bruins in 1992, after playing for the U.S. in the Albertville Olympics. He had 131 goals and 239 points in 515 games with the Bruins, who left him available in the 2000 expansion draft after he managed only 12 goals and 25 points in 75 games in 1999-2000.

Heinze earned $1.32 million last season.