Straka Expected Back in the Lineup

It looked like training camp again for the Kings, with 26 players on the ice at Wednesday morning’s practice and another on a plane from Chicago.

Filled beyond capacity with 16 forwards, two goalies and eight defensemen, the Kings officially added another defenseman to the mix after Nathan Dempsey, acquired Tuesday from the Chicago Blackhawks, passed his physical Wednesday afternoon.

Dempsey is expected to play tonight against the Minnesota Wild, but there will be others who don’t. The numbers game could squeeze up to four players out of roster spots because of the addition of Dempsey and the expected return tonight of forward Martin Straka, who has been out since Jan. 10 because of a torn ligament in his left knee and cartilage damage in both knees.

Defenseman Jason Holland (thigh bruise) and right wing Dustin Brown (sprained ankle) might also come off the injured reserve list and play tonight, leaving roster decisions aplenty for the Kings.

The Kings have reserved judgment until today about which players stay with the club and which ones will go down to Manchester, N.H.

“We’re going to be affecting some of their lives with some of the decisions we make,” King Coach Andy Murray said. “Tough times. These are tough decisions.”

Young defensemen Tim Gleason, Denis Grebeshkov and Tomas Zizka could be sent down to Manchester without having to clear waivers. Veteran defenseman Brad Norton, who has struggled recently, and right wing John Tripp, who does not have a goal in 29 games, would have to clear waivers if they were assigned to Manchester.

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Brown practiced Wednesday, two days after getting hit in the foot by a slap shot. “There’s soreness, but it doesn’t hurt when I skate,” he said. “I’m ready to play.” ... Goaltender Roman Cechmanek skated Wednesday for the first time since suffering a groin pull Feb. 18 against the Dallas Stars. He is still out until Tuesday’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes, at the earliest.... Murray provided an update on forwards Jason Allison (whiplash) and Adam Deadmarsh (concussion), who have not played in more than 13 months: “If they were to come and tell us, ‘We feel real good, we could be ready in two to three weeks,’ we could get them ready. The door’s never closed, but they’re the ones that have to open it.”

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TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota, 7:30, Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 25-18-15-7, Wild 21-26-17-2.

Record vs. Wild -- 1-0-2.

Update -- The Kings beat the Wild, 3-1, when the teams last played Feb. 10. Ian Laperriere had a goal and an assist, sparking a streak in which he scored six goals in eight games.