Demitra Closer but Still Not Ready

King forward Pavol Demitra moved a bit closer to returning to the lineup, as the blood behind his right eye has dissipated, but he will have to wait until a follow-up examination today before he will be cleared to play.

Demitra, who was hit in the face by a puck playing for Slovakia in the Olympics, is unlikely to rejoin the team in St. Louis on Saturday but may travel to San Jose for the Kings’ game against the Sharks on Monday.

Demitra, who has sat out four games so far, leads the team with 22 goals and is second with 57 points. He and forward Alexander Frolov (separated shoulder) were put on injured reserve to make room on the roster for Mark Parrish and Brent Sopel, who were acquired Wednesday. Demitra and Frolov can be activated at any time.

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Parrish played 13 minutes 57 seconds in the Kings’ 7-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. He was mixed and matched on different lines and had two shots on goal.

Sopel, also acquired in the deal, will join the team today in St. Louis. Sopel is out at least a week because of a bruised knee.

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The Kings acquired right wing Tim Jackman from the Phoenix Coyotes for center Yanick Lehoux on Thursday. Jackman was assigned to minor league Manchester, where Lehoux had been playing.