There’s Much for Smolinski to Ponder

With the playoff race, impending unrestricted free agency this summer and a possible trade before Tuesday’s noon deadline, Bryan Smolinski of the Kings would seem to have enough on his plate.

But there also is this: His wife, Julie, may be experiencing labor pains weeks before she is due to deliver the couple’s second child next month.

“Maybe that will take my mind off the other things,” he said.

Not that Smolinski, 31, has seemed distracted. Before Thursday night’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, the veteran center had scored 11 goals in 16 games to help the Kings climb back into the playoff race.

The Kings, however, have so far made only a “mild effort” to re-sign Smolinski, according to his agent, Pat Brisson, adding that negotiations were ongoing.

“Our goal is to have some positive conversations that will bring Bryan to a new contract with the Kings,” Brisson said, “but I doubt that it will be done in the next few days [before the trade deadline].”

If a deal can’t be worked out before noon Tuesday, the Kings might feel compelled to trade him, rather than risk losing him this summer and receiving only a compensatory draft pick in return for the versatile forward.