Good News for Some, but It’s Bad for Others

The Kings are getting healthier in time for a playoff push, but as forward Jon Sim and defenseman Brad Norton found out Thursday, roster spots, and mailing addresses, are getting harder to keep.

The Kings, trying to make room for an influx of players, were hoping Sim and Norton would clear waivers on their way to being sent down to Manchester, N.H., but Sim was claimed by the Pittsburgh Penguins and Norton by the Washington Capitals.

“We were hoping that we’d be able to keep both guys in the organization,” King Coach Andy Murray said. “It speaks well for them that two teams grabbed them. It’s disappointing when you lose assets. They’re both good guys. Great team guys.”

The Kings also sent defenseman Tomas Zizka to Manchester. He did not have to clear waivers.

The Kings had to clear space for defenseman Nathan Dempsey, acquired Tuesday from the Chicago Blackhawks, and forward Martin Straka, who returned from knee surgery.

At least two other injured players, forward Dustin Brown and defenseman Jason Holland, are close to returning, and defensemen Aaron Miller and Lubomir Visnovsky, who have been out because of pinched nerves in the neck and shoulder areas, skated without contact Thursday. Miller might practice Saturday with the team.

Sim, 26, had six goals and seven assists in 48 games, all career-highs, but he had been a healthy scratch in seven of the last nine games. He had one goal in his last 23 games.

Norton, 29, also sat out seven of the last nine games as a healthy scratch. On Sunday against the Mighty Ducks, he had a costly third-period turnover deep in the Kings’ zone that led to a Sergei Fedorov goal.

“This is a business, and days like today make you realize that,” forward Ian Laperriere said.

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Miller, out since Dec. 10, failed a strength test in his right shoulder last week but passed it Wednesday with an 82% rating.

Visnovsky, out since getting checked head-first into the boards by the Edmonton Oilers’ Ethan Moreau on Jan. 31, came up woefully short on a strength test in his right shoulder two weeks ago with a 38% rating. He scored a 50% rating in a strength test Wednesday.