Rookie Brown Signs Contract

Rookie right wing Dustin Brown signed a three-year contract Saturday and became the only King first-round selection to sign before the regular season since Olli Jokinen in 1997.

The contract, a two-way deal, is believed to be worth $3.72 million if Brown spends the next three seasons in the NHL and is not sent back to his junior league team. The contract reflects the financial prudence prevalent around the league this summer in free-agent and rookie signings.

“I’m happy with it and they’re pretty happy with it as well,” Brown said.

Brown, selected No. 13 overall in this year’s draft, had four goals in six exhibition games and demonstrated toughness in traffic.

“He’s got quite a bit more strength than you’d get in a typical 18-year-old,” General Manager Dave Taylor said. “He works in the corners and goes to the front of the net hard. All of those qualities speak well for an 18-year-old. His goal will be to show he belongs here for the whole year.”

If the Kings deem Brown unsuitable for NHL play, he would be returned to his junior team -- Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League -- and not to the Kings’ minor league affiliate at Manchester (N.H.) because he is only 18. He would receive his junior league salary if that happens.

If Brown plays 10 games or less with the Kings this season, his contract is rolled over and would begin next season.

Jokinen, selected No. 3 overall by the Kings in 1997, did not score a point in eight games during the 1997-98 season. He is now with the Florida Panthers.

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Left wing Luc Robitaille and Coach Andy Murray were angry at Mighty Duck defenseman Ruslan Salei after he slashed Robitaille in the left knee during the Kings’ 4-0 victory Friday. Robitaille limped off the ice, did not return and is day to day because of a bruised knee.

“It was a good two-hander, I can tell you that,” Robitaille said. “That’s the way he plays.”

Said Murray: “If that hits you in the right spot, it can end your career. It was uncalled for.”

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The Kings sent six players to Manchester: center Jerred Smithson, left wing Ryan Flinn, goaltender Milan Hnilicka and defensemen Denis Grebeshkov, Bryan Muir and Tomas Zizka. The Kings have 29 players left on their preseason roster: 18 forwards, nine defensemen and two goaltenders.