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Palffy Signs to Play for Czech Team

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From Times Staff and Wire Reports

Former King Ziggy Palffy, who was unable to attract interest from an NHL team this summer, has signed with Slavia Prague in the Czech league.

Palffy, 32, turned down three offers from the Kings, including a three-year, $19.5-million contract. Financial terms of his contract with Slavia were not announced, but it includes a buyout should the NHL lockout end.

Palffy scored 150 goals for the Kings after he was acquired from the New York Islanders in 1999. But he slipped to 16 goals last season and sat out 47 games because of a dislocated shoulder.

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Palffy joined former King teammate Jozef Stumpel, who also signed with Slavia.

-- Chris Foster

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