Robitaille Remains Bothered by Benching

King forward Luc Robitaille made it clear Saturday that he has no intention of retiring, despite being scratched from the lineup for a second consecutive game.

Robitaille, a future Hall of Famer, was still upset about Coach Andy Murray’s decision to bench him. Robitaille, 39, has been scratched for non-health reasons seven times in his 19-season NHL career, five in the last two seasons with the Kings.

“It’s the same as yesterday, it really bothers me that I’m not playing,” Robitaille said. “I feel I should be playing.

“I know how much I have given to this team, even to Andy.... I still believe I can do it. We’ll wait and see what happens. I’m not going away.”

Murray and Robitaille met Saturday morning, but Robitaille said they only discussed what he had said in a newspaper article.

“The last thing I have to worry about is what’s written in the newspaper,” Robitaille said. “It’s not about that, it’s about playing.”

Murray said the two were going to talk again later in the day.

“From my perspective, I obviously don’t see friction,” Murray said. “I’m trying to do my job, trying to make decision that I think will benefit the hockey club. You always like those decisions to be in favor of players.... I’m just coaching and making decisions on what I think is merit.”

But Robitaille said it was not so much the decision, but, “the way it happened really bothered me.” He learned he was not playing against the Mighty Ducks on Friday during a general team meeting in the morning.

“Everybody mentions Detroit and [veteran center Steve] Yzerman and Andy keeps mentioning that,” Robitaille said. “Well, I don’t think they treat Yzerman the same way. They have conversations where they talk with him. It’s a whole different thing.”

Robitaille’s production has dropped significantly this season. He has five goals and eight points in 21 games. He missed nine games with a broken leg and his ice time has decreased since returning Nov. 22.