Injured Jarret Stoll showing some improvement

The Kings had avoided using the word “concussion” in regard to injured center Jarret Stoll, who has been out since taking a hard hit from the now-suspended Raffi Torres in Game 1 of the team’s Western Conference semifinal series against the San Jose Sharks.

But Kings Coach Darryl Sutter acknowledged the obvious after Stoll took part in the Kings’ practice Saturday in El Segundo. Stoll’s participation was limited and he remains out indefinitely. The next step -- down the line -- is getting cleared for contact.

“He got a brain injury,” Sutter said, bluntly. “He can’t play with it . . . it’s very simple,”

Torres, a repeat offender, was suspended by the NHL for the remainder of the series, which the Kings lead, 3-2, heading into Game 6 Sunday at HP Pavilion in San Jose. Stoll has a concussion history, dating back to when he played for the Edmonton Oilers.

Sutter went over the concussion protocol and said that Stoll is still a ways from returning.

“There are concussion symptoms,” Sutter said. “There are seven or eight symptoms which basically tell you whether it’s a concussion or not. So obviously you are symptomatic. So the symptoms subside. Then you do your baseline tests. Then you do light activity and you do light activity with the group. See if there’s any other symptoms. Then you have to be symptom-free at the end.”

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