Top Draft Pick Kopitar Opts to Play in Sweden

After playing three exhibitions in four days, the Kings canceled practice Wednesday, although there was still a flurry of activity as the team reduced its roster to 31.

There were no surprises -- 14 players were assigned to the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League and defensemen Nate Metcalf and Oriel McHugh were sent to the Bakersfield Condors of the East Coast Hockey League.

Center Anze Kopitar, the team’s No. 1 draft pick, stuck to his plan and returned to Sweden to play with Sodertalje of the Swedish Elite League.

“Certainly if he had decided to stay here, we would have been excited,” King Coach Andy Murray said. Murray said he doesn’t expect to reduce the roster to the league-mandated 23 until shortly before the start of the season.

The Kings open against Dallas on Oct. 5.

“We’ll keep everybody right to the end,” he said. “There’s no sense in sending somebody away and then trying to get them back.”

*

Center Derek Armstrong, who suffered a mild concussion in Sunday’s exhibition against the San Jose Sharks, rode a stationary bike Wednesday, Murray said.

Armstrong is expected to ride the bike and possibly lift weights today.

“It seemed to go well and they’ll make a determination [on when he’ll be on the ice] soon,” Murray said. “In talking with him, he seemed better today.”

*

The Kings’ 8-4 exhibition victory against the Coyotes on Tuesday was the first time Wayne Gretzky stepped behind the Phoenix bench, giving Murray a coaching matchup with his former player.

“It was kind of fun,” said Murray, who had Gretzky as a player when he was an associate coach for Team Canada in 1998. “I wished him well after the game, but I’m sure he won’t be needing it.”