Veteran Murray Is Skating On Thin Ice

The Kings are running out of patience with Glen Murray, whose lack of production belies the enormous potential they see in him.

Coach Andy Murray suggested Saturday that the veteran winger’s days with the Kings could be numbered unless he brings to practice and the regular season the same intensity that made him a force in the playoffs last spring.

“I think Glen has to make a decision, and I think the bottom-line decision is if he wants to stay in L.A.,” the coach said. “I don’t think we should accept mediocrity from a guy with that much talent.”

Andy Murray has said repeatedly during training camp that, after the summer departure of Luc Robitaille, Glen Murray could score 40 goals this season.

But the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Murray, who matched a career high with 29 goals two seasons ago before slipping to 18 in 64 games last season, has not scored in three exhibition games. He was scratched Saturday night, when the Kings defeated the Colorado Avalanche, 5-1, in front of 15,145 at Staples Center.

“We want Glen Murray to be one of the top power forwards in the league and I think there are times in his career where he has [been],” Andy Murray said, “but he almost seems hesitant about extending himself because that’s what would be expected of him all the time.”

*

It could simply be a personality flaw, the coach suggested.

“He’s got the package,” the coach said of the 28-year-old forward, who is in the final season of a three-year contract. “He has the raw tools, so you would have to think it comes down to him really wanting to be one of the best, or do you settle with being average?”

Nelson Emerson of the Kings sustained a concussion and did not return after he was blindsided at center ice in the first period Saturday by Avalanche defenseman Pascal Trepanier