KINGS NOTES...
By Gann Matsuda
5.24.00 On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have exericised contract options on right wing Glen Murray and goalie Jamie Storr. Murray, 27, recorded a career-high with 62 points this season while tying his career-high in goals (29). He was third on the team in scoring behind Luc Robitaille and Ziggy Palffy. Storr, 24, earned an 18-15-5 record to go with a 2.53 GAA and a .908 save percentage. Over his NHL career, Storr has a 45-37-10 record with a 2.51 GAA and a .914 save percentage. He was also named to the NHL All-Rookie Teams following the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons.5.18.00 On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that prospect Scott Barney, who did not play this past season due to a back injury, underwent successful back surgery. The surgery, a percutaneous discectomy for a lumbar disc injury, was performed by Dr. Robert Watkins at the Center for Spinal Surgery. Barney, 21, was originally selected by the Kings in the second round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-4, 198 pound forward played with Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League from the 1995-99. In 230 games at Peterborough, Barney scored 132 goals and addeding 89 assists for 243 points while racking up 302 penalty minutes. Barney is expected to make a full recovery. 
5.3.00 On Wednesday, the NHL announced the finalists for their annual post-season awards. Los Angeles Kings' defenseman Rob Blake was among three finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the best defenseman. Chris Pronger of the St. Louis Blues and Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings were the other two finalists and have to be the favorites for the award. The winners will be announced Thursday, June 15, at the 17th Annual NHL Awards Television Special, "A Celebration of Excellence," at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The awards show will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 5:00 PM PDT. Voting for all NHL awards is conducted at the conclusion of the regular season. The Professional Hockey Writers' Association votes for the James Norris Trophy. 5.1.00 It certainly looks like the Los Angeles Kings may be protecting two goalies for the upcoming expansion draft... On Monday, the Kings acquired goaltender Steve Passmore from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick. Passmore, 27, played in 24 games with the Blackhawks this season and posted a 2,72 GAA and a 7-12-3 record. In 30 NHL games, Passmore, who is 5-9 and weighs 165 pounds, has an 8-16-4 record and a 2.74 GAA. Passmore was the 196th overall pick in the 1992 draft by Quebec, who traded him to Edmonton in March, 1994 for Brad Wrenka. In July, 1999, Passmore signed with Chicago as a free agent.
