Facts

2000-2001 record: 38-28-13-3, third in Pacific Division.

The coach: Andy Murray, third season; mantra for 2001-02: Best Ever [season in King history].

Who’s gone: Luc Robitaille, Stu Grimson.

What’s new: Kings will wear patches on their uniforms honoring scouts Ace Bailey and Mark Bavis, who were killed aboard a hijacked airliner in Sept. 11 terrorist attacks; free-agent signees Steve Heinze, Randy Robitaille and Ken Belanger; rookies Jaroslav Bednar and Andreas Lilja.

Projected lines: Adam Deadmarsh-Jozef Stumpel-Ziggy Palffy; Glen Murray-Bryan Smolinski-Nelson Emerson; Steve Heinze-Randy Robitaille-Jaroslav Bednar; Kelly Buchberger-Eric Belanger-Ian Laperriere.

Projected defensive pairings: Mattias Norstrom-Aaron Miller; Mathieu Schneider-Lubomir Visnovsky; Philippe Boucher-Jaroslav Modry; Jere Karalahti-Andreas Lilja.

Goaltenders: Felix Potvin, Jamie Storr, Stephane Fiset.

Keys to the season: Potvin must continue to play as he did after being traded to the Kings in February; somebody needs to step up to take scoring load off Palffy.

Outlook: Another 90-point season seems within grasp, but a duplication of last spring’s playoff run will be difficult.

Tickets: (888) 546-4752.