Kelly Is Hoping Checks Pay Off in Roster Spot

Great things were expected from center Steve Kelly when the Edmonton Oilers selected him sixth overall in the 1995 draft. At 6 feet 2 and 200 pounds, Kelly figured to fit right into the physical NHL. But after bouncing around for six seasons, and having played only 129 games for five teams, Kelly is fighting to keep his career alive.

Kelly, 25, has been unable to shake an underachiever tag ever since Edmonton gave up and traded him to Tampa Bay after he had played only 27 games in an Oiler uniform. Now with the Kings, Kelly is determined to show Coach Andy Murray and his staff that he’s a better, more mature player than he was six years ago.

“I just want to let them know that I can play here and that I want to be a full-time contributor in whatever way they see fit,” said Kelly, who had one point in eight games with the Kings last season. “The big knock on me in the past has been consistency. I’ve proven that I can play in the league, but I guess I haven’t been getting it done on a nightly basis. Some nights I’ve been there, but there have been other nights when I didn’t play up to my potential, for whatever reason.”

With Ian Laperriere still sidelined because of injury, Kelly has been working hard, hoping to gain a spot as a checking forward.

He got off to a good start when he scored the only goal in the Kings’ 1-0 exhibition game victory over San Jose last week.

“I feel that I’m ready to be a full-time player in the league,” he said. Last season--he started it with abdominal surgery on Sept. 18--Kelly had 31 points in 49 games for Manchester of the American Hockey League.

“It’s been a little frustrating at times, but I feel great about my opportunity,” he said.

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The Kings will play exhibition games tonight at Colorado and Thursday night against Phoenix at Staples Center.