Meeting Kindles Fire in Smolinski

The message, accentuated by a closed-door meeting with the Kings’ coaching staff, has been received by Bryan Smolinski, who was back with the second line Saturday night and set up the Kings’ goal, scored by Scott Thomas, in a 3-1 exhibition loss to San Jose (4-0-3) before an announced 5,004 at Bakersfield.

It was the first flat performance for the road-weary Kings in the exhibition season, and it came in their second game in as many nights.

“[Smolinski] looks like he has had a little more jump [Friday] and tonight,” said Dave Taylor, the Kings’ senior vice president and general manager who pressed for the inclusion of Smolinski in the Ziggy Palffy deal with the New York Islanders.

“He’s been effective offensively and can play in all kinds of situations.”

Smolinski had played his way down to the fourth line, and was replaced by Len Barrie at the beginning of last week. To make sure Smolinski understood the situation, he and the King coaches met Friday morning in Denver before the game later in the day against the Avalanche.

The moves are designed to jump-start Smolinski. Barrie was dropped back to the fourth line, playing with wingers Bill Huard and Jason Podollan.

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Winger Pavel Rosa was sent to Long Beach on Saturday, cutting the Kings’ roster to 28 players, 29 if you include center Jason Blake, who is expected to start the season on the injury list.

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The situation on defense is still unsettled.

Were the season to start today, Rob Blake would be paired with Jaroslav Modry, who has taken advantage of the Mattias Norstrom contract dispute and had an excellent camp; Sean O’Donnell and Aki Berg and Garry Galley and rookie Frantisek Kaberle. The seventh defenseman would probably be Dion Darling or Paul Dyck, though an acquisition in Monday’s waiver draft is also a possibility.