Union Chief Visits

Ted Saskin, executive director of the National Hockey League Players’ Assn., met with the Kings on Sunday as a part of his tour of teams.

“Ted said his point, his views, what needed to be done,” said Jeremy Roenick, who was not at the meeting but received an update later. “The boys asked him a lot of important questions. The guys got a lot out of it. Right now, it is not a good situation.”

There has been division within the NHLPA over Saskin’s being appointed to replace Bob Goodenow. The union’s executive council and team player representatives pushed through his appointment during a conference call, which brought complaints from some in the general membership.

Each team is now to vote on Saskin’s appointment. The Kings are expected to vote within “the next couple days,” said Mattias Norstrom, the team’s player representative.

“We have to do the right thing, and we have to do it by the books,” Roenick said. “We don’t do this because somebody wants somebody else in. The process was not done correctly. It’s important to make sure the right steps are taken and we get it right.

“Ted is a good guy, a great guy, but he is not the only guy. It’s important that as a union we get this all settled in the proper way.”

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King goaltender Mathieu Garon worked out with the proposed new goaltender jersey and pants, and, while he had fashion concerns about the jersey, he had safety issues with the pants.

“I’m sending them back; I think most of the goaltenders are doing that,” Garon said. “They feel like there is not much padding there. I know they are trying to make changes in the game to increase scoring, but we need to be protected too.”

The NHL has yet to decide whether the new goaltender uniform will be required this season.

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Forwards Valeri Bure (back injury) and Jeff Cowan (sore groin) and defenseman Tim Gleason (bruised knee) sat out practice. Roenick (concussion) went through a full practice.