Trade Completed for Yushkevich

Still trying to plug a hole in their defense created by the July departure of free agent Philippe Boucher, the Kings traded Tuesday for defenseman Dmitry Yushkevich of the Florida Panthers, who played in the 2000 NHL All-Star game.

Dispatched to the Panthers, who play the Kings tonight at Staples Center, were two younger players who had been slow in developing with the Kings, defenseman Andreas Lilja, 27, and winger Jaroslav Bednar, 26. The Kings also acquired a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft.

Yushkevich, 31, was traded to the Panthers in July after playing seven seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, among them three with King goaltender Felix Potvin and 2 1/2 with King defenseman Mathieu Schneider.

“He’s a solid NHL veteran,” Schneider said. “He moves the puck well, skates well. You can never have enough mobility and experience on defense. I’m excited. I think it’s a really positive step, sends a message to everyone that we want to win.”

Yushkevich, in his 11th NHL season, said it was frustrating to get traded for the second time in four months, but that he had heard rumors for weeks that the Panthers were trying to dump his salary.

“I know how good is this Los Angeles Kings’ team,” said the Russian, who owns an ice skating rink in Ontario and for the last two years has lived in Anaheim during the off-season, about 10 minutes from the Arrowhead Pond. “I’ve been watching the playoffs the last two seasons. They’ve competed at the highest level against Detroit and Colorado, two of the best teams in the league.”

In the final year of a contract that will pay him $2.75 million this season, Yushkevich becomes the fifth King eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer, joining Potvin, Aaron Miller, Bryan Smolinski and Craig Johnson.

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Adam Deadmarsh, still unable to play after suffering a concussion Nov. 12 against the Maple Leafs, was put on the injured reserve list, retroactive to Nov. 13.

That means he could play as soon as tonight, but Coach Andy Murray said it was doubtful that Deadmarsh would return before Dec. 5, when the Kings play the Nashville Predators at Staples Center. Deadmarsh has been out the last five games after suffering the injury on a hit by former King Aki Berg.

Pavel Rosa was recalled from the Kings’ American Hockey League team at Manchester, N.H., where he had scored 15 points in 17 games.

Meanwhile, Ian Laperriere was held out of practice after suffering a neck injury Saturday night in a collision with Derian Hatcher of the Dallas Stars. Laperriere’s status for tonight’s game will be determined this morning.

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Former King winger Nelson Emerson, cut loose by the club last summer, has started scouting for the Kings. In advance of Friday’s game against the Mighty Ducks, he’ll keep tabs on the Ducks tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes.

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TONIGHT

vs. Florida, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KSPN (1110).

Records -- Kings 9-6-3-3, Panthers 6-7-6-4.

Record vs. Panthers (2001-02) -- 1-1.

Update -- The Panthers’ 4-4 tie with the Ducks on Sunday extended an unusual winless streak to eight games. They haven’t won since Nov. 9, a 3-0 victory over the Calgary Flames, but they’ve picked up seven points while going 0-1-5-2.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.

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The New King

The Kings acquired defenseman Dmitry Yushkevich, an All-Star in 2000, from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Jaroslav Bednar and defenseman Andreas Lilja. A look at Yushkevich’s career:

*--* Year Team G A P +/- 92-93 Philadelphia 5 27 32 12 93-94 Philadelphia 5 25 30 -8 94-95 Philadelphia 5 9 14 -4 95-96 Toronto 1 10 11 -14 96-97 Toronto 4 10 14 -24 97-98 Toronto 0 12 12 -13 98-99 Toronto 6 22 28 25 99-00 Toronto 3 24 27 2 00-01 Toronto 5 19 24 -2 01-02 Toronto 6 13 19 14 02-03 Florida 1 6 7 -12 Totals 41 177 218 -24

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