Klatt Will Face ‘Very Good Friends’

The out-of-town radio and newspaper interviews were stacking up Wednesday afternoon for Trent Klatt, one of Vancouver’s favorite sons the previous five seasons.

He plays tonight against his former teammates, with some Canuck fans and media still wondering how Klatt managed to slip away to the Kings after becoming a hit in Vancouver with his grinding, physical style.

He has three goals and two assists in eight games for the Kings since signing a two-year deal as an unrestricted free agent, adding to the ire of Canuck fans who were upset with management when a deal couldn’t be worked out to keep Klatt in Vancouver.

Klatt said he harbors no hard feelings.

“Some of those guys on the other side are very, very good friends,” he said. “There’s a lot of battles we went though together.”

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King center Jozef Stumpel is not expected to play tonight because of a bruised chest, but there is better news for other injured players.

Mattias Norstrom and Aaron Miller are expected to play against Vancouver, bolstering a thin defensive corps and adding much-needed muscle to the penalty kill.

Miller has not played yet because of a broken left wrist he suffered while getting checked in a preseason scrimmage. Norstrom has been out because of a bruised chest he suffered eight minutes into the Oct. 9 season opener against the Detroit Red Wings.

“I feel like I’ve got all the strength back,” Norstrom said.

Forward Michael Cammalleri, out with a sprained left knee, could also play, although the team could decide to send him first to its minor-league affiliate in Manchester, N.H.

Stumpel has not practiced since leaving in the second period of Saturday’s game against Chicago.

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The crime report of the alleged altercation that took place early Sunday morning between Ziggy Palffy and his fiancee is expected to be ready today or Friday, said a spokesman for the Manhattan Beach Police Department. Zora Czoborova, 36, suffered minor injuries and Palffy was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery.... The Kings are collecting financial donations tonight and Saturday at Staples Center to help families affected by the fires sweeping across Southern California. In addition, all proceeds of every remaining ticket sold for Saturday’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes will be donated to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund for the fires and other fire-relief efforts. Approximately 3,000 tickets are left.

TONIGHT

vs. Vancouver, 7:30, Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 4-4-0-0, Canucks 5-2-2-0.

Record vs. Canucks (2002-03) -- 1-2-0-1.

Update -- Vancouver left wing Markus Naslund had only five points until a two-goal, two-assist outburst Tuesday in a 6-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Canuck right wing Todd Bertuzzi has only one goal after scoring 46 last season. King penalty-killing units could get a boost with the likely return of injured defensemen Aaron Miller and Mattias Norstrom.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.