Roenick Will Sit Out Remaining Exhibitions

One day after suffering the 11th concussion of his career, Jeremy Roenick said Monday he would not play in the Kings’ remaining three exhibition games.

Roenick took a hit from Coyote defenseman Denis Gauthier early in the second period of Sunday’s game against Phoenix and had to come out. On Monday, he underwent an eye examination and said he had stiffness in his upper back, near his neck, and a headache.

“They told me there was no point in playing right now,” Roenick said. “It’s preseason and you never know what is going to happen on the ice. Why take a chance that some other [guy] will do something like that again?”

He said he was unsure when he would return to the ice, but insisted, “In a week, I’m going to be playing again.”

Roenick had two concussions during the 2003-04 season, when he was with the Philadelphia Flyers. His history with concussions had him considering retirement that season -- one in which he suffered a broken jaw along with one of the concussions.

“I think when people have a history, there are always concerns,” General Manager Dave Taylor said. “From what I understand today, Jeremy’s eye test was normal. He has stiffness in his neck, which is to be expected after a hit like that.”

Roenick’s contract, which will pay him $4.94 million, is insured, Taylor said. Roenick, though, said his latest concussion did not seem as severe as the one that forced him to miss 19 games in 2003-04.

“We’re going to take three or four days and see what happens,” Roenick said.

Roenick was still angry Monday about Gauthier’s hit, which he continued to say “shows a lack of respect.” The Kings quickly went after Gauthier after the play, with Tom Kostopoulos receiving a misconduct penalty and Ken Belanger being sent off with a game misconduct.

Coach Andy Murray said Sunday that the hit was not going to be an issue, although Roenick said a few times that “it needs to be addressed.”

“It’s over and done with, let’s move on,” Murray said.

Still, the Kings’ home opener Oct. 6 is against the Coyotes.

Murray may have greater concerns, with the possibility of starting the season without two of his top three centers. Derek Armstrong remains on the shelf because of a concussion, suffered in the Kings’ second exhibition game on Sept. 18.

Armstrong rode the stationary bicycle on Sunday, but there was no timetable for his return. Roenick and Armstrong were ticketed for the Kings’ top scoring lines.

“We have more depth at that position than we have had here in the past,” Murray said. “There are options I have thought about. But I think [Jeremy] is going to be playing next week.”