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Posted 3/1/2004 7:54 PM
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Kings persevere through injuries, doubts
The Los Angeles Kings have been savaged by injuries, starting with Jason Allison and Adam Deadmarsh, who have been sidelined the entire season, and continuing with many others, including Ziggy Palffy. Now, starting goaltender Roman Cechmanek has a groin injury that concerns the organization. But the Kings have survived, and even thrived, under duress. USA TODAY hockey reporter Kevin Allen talked to general manager Dave Taylor about why the Kings are in position to make the playoffs:

Everyone in the NHL wants to ask how the Kings have managed to find success this season in the face of overwhelming injuries.

Our two free agent signings have been very good. Luc Robitaille and Trent Klatt have given us real good leadership. Those two have combined with Derek Armstrong to give us one good line. And Alexander Frolov, who had the real good rookie year, has taken another step. He combined with Jozef Stumpel to make up two-thirds of our other scoring unit. We've had Scott Barney in there for some games, and we've had Marty Straka in there for some games and we've had (Mike) Cammalleri in there for some games. Those guys have been the key guys up front and on defense, Mattias Norstrom has been steady for us all year.

It shouldn't be possible, but isn't Norstrom still underrated around the league?

He plays against the top players on the opposing team every night. He's a tremendous skater and tremendous competitor. You know what you will get out of him every night. He will never put up a lot of points because he doesn't get a lot of power play time. But he gets a lot of five-on-five time.

How do you explain coach Andy Murray's magic? Is it all about his organizational skills?

Andy is very experienced. Even when we hired him, he had already coached 25 years, and now he's going on 30 years. He has coached at all levels. He has seen a lot of different situations, and I think he does an excellent job on the bench. We make adjustments between periods and even during periods when Andy sees things on the ice. And he's quick to give credit to the entire coaching staff, and not just say it's Andy Murray.

You moved boldly in the offseason to bring in Roman Cechmanek to play goal. How do you assess how he has played? And what is his injury situation?

Our goaltending has been solid. We have won some games on our goaltending.

He's put us in our position to get into the playoffs, but right now he's out with a groin injury. It's a bit of a concern. Hopefully he won't be out much longer, but he's not skating right now.

What's the prognosis?

It didn't seem like it was too serious. But he's missed 10 days now, and we don't have a firm timetable.

Isn't that a bit scary with the playoffs around the corner?

It is because it's a groin. With goalies it's knees and groins because they need those muscles to be 100% because they are on their knees.

Are you concerned enough to consider trading for a depth goaltender?

If we were healthy there, it wouldn't be a concern for us. But we have to look now because of the injury.

What's the Kings' position in the trade market?

We would add if we could. With the number of long-term injuries we have, we could use help in all positions.

Do you have a trading strategy in mind?

We just want to weigh what's out there and what it will cost us, but we aren't interested in giving up five or six of our top young prospects in any deal.

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