Islander Fans Have Started Pining for Palffy

As trade rumors continue to swirl around King scoring leader Ziggy Palffy, the fans have made their feelings known.

Fans on Long Island, that is.

During the New York Islanders’ game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night at Uniondale, N.Y., Islander fans made it clear they would love to see the dynamic winger return to the organization that employed him for six seasons before trading him to the Kings in 1999. Inside the Nassau Coliseum, they chanted Palffy’s name. Two held up signs that read, “Bring Ziggy back.”

And that was during a 6-2 Islander victory.

“That’s impressive,” Palffy said Friday after practice. “It’s a good thing they remember me. I had a great time over there. But it’s a different story right now. I’m playing here for the Kings and I want to stay here. What’s going to happen is not up to me right now. I try to play for the Kings my best.”

But even as Palffy has continued to carry the offensive load for them, having scored nine goals and assisted on nine more over the last 12 games, the Kings have done nothing to quiet the rumors.

Perhaps they want to spread the word that Palffy might be available. Or, as Palffy noted Friday, “You know, these rumors have to come from somewhere.”

Added his agent, Paul Kraus, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

Coach Andy Murray said this week that the Kings were not actively shopping Palffy, but made clear what General Manager Dave Taylor had indicated last week: The Kings will listen to offers.

“I think what Dave is saying is, ‘Who is untouchable on our team?’ ” Murray said. “You see [general managers] say all the time, ‘These three guys are untouchable,’ or whatever. I don’t think anybody’s untouchable if somebody puts the right deal on the table for our team.”

TODAY

vs. New York Islanders, 1 p.m.,

Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 24-25-4-4, Islanders 26-23-5-2.

Record vs. Islanders (2001-02) -- 1-1.

Update -- Eric Belanger and Lubomir Visnovsky have been cleared to return for the Kings, who play 11 of their next 18 games against Eastern Conference teams. The Kings are 7-3-0-1 against the East.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.