Fresh Start for Ex-Flyer Cechmanek

Friday was the first day of training camp for the Kings and the highest point of optimism for them.

For King goaltender Roman Cechmanek, Friday was merely the first day of reshaping a career that has followed the same enigmatic formula -- impeccable during the regular season, imperfect during the playoffs.

Acquired from Philadelphia for a second-round draft pick, Cechmanek is 92-43-22 in three seasons with a 1.96 goals-against average that is the lowest since 1943-44 among goalies with at least 150 games.

He also allowed nine goals in the Flyers’ last two playoff games and was given a vote of no-confidence by Flyer General Manager Bobby Clarke, who suggested Cechmanek’s teammates had lost faith in him and said it would be “very difficult to bring Roman back.”

Cechmanek, 32, was snapped up by the Kings before the playoffs were over.

“I think three years of playing on one team is enough for a goalie,” Cechmanek said. “I think change will be good. It’s a new season. It’s kind of exciting right now.”

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Forward Mike Cammalleri returned to the ice after injuring his right hip during the Kings’ rookie tournament last week.

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There was no movement on the Petr Sykora contract front. Both sides remained firm. The Mighty Ducks are offering a three-year deal; Sykora, who has not reported to camp, is asking for four. General Manager Bryan Murray, though, said this has not reached the take-it-or-leave-it stage.

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Patric Kjellberg, who left the Ducks last spring for personal reasons and returned to Sweden, has completed his training to become a police officer in Stockholm.

-- Mike Bresnahan and Chris Foster