Veterans Are on the Spot

There was more than a tad of concern in the Kings’ mostly vacant dressing room after practice Friday, a day after they’d lost for the sixth time in eight games.

The Kings glided through much of November as the Pacific Division’s top team, prompting Kings’ CEO Tim Leiweke to declare that this was going to be “the best King team ever.”

Less than three weeks later, the Kings are sixth in the Western Conference, a mere three points out of ninth place.

Coach Andy Murray sent unmistakable messages in a 3-2 loss to Carolina on Thursday. Pavol Demitra played 14 minutes 49 seconds and Jeremy Roenick logged only 11:50, both season lows. Luc Robitaille played only 12:11.

Murray had said last week that either his veterans were going to play well or he would give their time to others.

Problem is, of the prospects the Kings have brought in from Manchester to replace injured players this season, none has stuck. Even Murray said, “the players we have at Manchester need to develop there.”

Nor does help seem to be coming from outside the organization. General Manager Dave Taylor indicated that he was not in pursuit of any player.

“I would like to see us get back to the level we were playing at three weeks ago,” Taylor said. “We have not performed well on the power play.... We might have to look at changes there, but I wouldn’t say anything was imminent.”

The Kings are slightly more than $4 million under the $39-million salary cap and could add another $1.5 million to that if forward Valeri Bure is unable to return from back surgery.

“Because of the salary cap, the roster you have is the one you have to play with,” Murray said.

Roenick, meanwhile, has five goals and 11 points in 27 games.

“[J.R.] has been given the ice time, including power plays and penalty killing,” Murray said. “There is no question he was brought to be the No. 1 center.”

Demitra’s production has fallen off, as has that of Craig Conroy and Alexander Frolov. Those three formed not only the Kings’ top line, they were the third-highest scoring line in the NHL three weeks ago. Frolov has since been taken off that line.

“When they were talking contracts with us, they indicated that they wanted to be leading players,” Murray said.

The bottom line, Murray said is to “somehow find a way to get to 100 points.”

The Kings are on pace for 96 points.

TODAY

vs. Florida, 1, FSNW

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Kings 17-12-1-0, Panthers 9-17-4.

Record vs. Panthers -- (2003-04) 1-0-0.

Update -- The Kings sent forward Jeff Tambellini to Manchester. Bure had back surgery Friday and is expected to begin rehabilitation in 10 days. The Kings have given up at least one power-play goal in the last 12 games. The Panthers have lost 15 of their last 18 games.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.