Kings Land Other Robitaille

The Kings will have a Robitaille on their roster after all--but not future Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille. Nor will they have five-time NHL scoring champion Jaromir Jagr, contrary to widespread speculation.

After announcing Saturday the Kings had agreed to a one-year deal with unrestricted free-agent center Randy Robitaille, club spokesman Mike Altieri denied reports the Kings are trying to acquire Jagr from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Because King owner Philip Anschutz has vast financial resources and because they lost Luc Robitaille to free agency, it has been speculated they would acquire Jagr as a gate attraction and offensive spark.

However, the Kings have said they won’t devote a fourth of their approximately $40-million budget to one player, and Jagr is due to earn $20.7 million the next two seasons. Altieri said the Kings have not changed their philosophy, which would also rule out signing free-agent winger Brett Hull or acquiring the rights to restricted free agent Eric Lindros.

Randy Robitaille--no relation to Luc--had nine goals and 26 points in 62 games last season with Nashville, which did not make him a qualifying offer. Over parts of five NHL seasons, the 5-foot-11, 196-pound native of Ottawa, Canada, has 20 goals and 53 points in 140 games.