Policy Helps Take Sting Out of Injuries

Disability insurance will help the Kings pay the salary of sidelined star Jason Allison, but the team probably will be on the hook for the salary of Adam Deadmarsh.

Both King forwards have been slow to recover from injuries they sustained last season: Deadmarsh has been out since December with post-concussion syndrome, Allison has been out since February with whiplash.

Allison will make $8 million this season, but the Kings are being reimbursed for 80% of his salary, pro-rated to the number of games he misses, because the insurance coverage rolled over into this season after being triggered when Allison missed his 30th game from the injury last season.

Deadmarsh, however, signed a new contract before the season, a one-year, $3 million deal as a restricted free agent. The new contract allows the insurance carrier to analyze Deadmarsh’s injury and possibly decline coverage based on past history, King General Manger Dave Taylor said.

“When a player has a significant injury, there’s usually an exclusionary on that injury,” Taylor said. “I’m understanding they’ll do that.”

By league mandate, each NHL team is required to cover the salary equivalent of its five highest-paid players through an insurance policy called Temporary & Total Disability, carried by BWD Group of Jericho, N.Y.

Allison and Deadmarsh have been skating without contact in a small group of other injured players. It is unknown when they will return, although the Kings would have financial flexibility to acquire another player via trade if Allison’s situation continues into the season. For example, the Kings would receive $1.6 million if he missed one-fourth of the season, $3.2 million if he missed half of the season.

“It could give us some added revenue to work with over and above our budget,” Taylor said. “Our preference would be to get Jason back playing, but we haven’t got any timetable on his return.”

TONIGHT

vs. Boston, 7:30, Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KDIS (1110).

Records -- Kings 3-1-0-0, Bruins 1-1-2-0.

Record vs. Bruins (2002-03) -- 0-0-0-1.

Update -- King right wing Ziggy Palffy has two goals and five assists in four games. The Kings’ penalty-kill unit has the lowest success rate in the NHL, with only 13 kills in 20 attempts (65%).

Tickets -- 888-546-4752