Hextall gets through to rookie forward

The path to the NHL can occasionally be a smooth ride, free of potholes, as in the case of rookie Anze Kopitar.

Then there’s the route Konstantin Pushkarev traveled.

Pushkarev, a 21-year-old forward from Ust-Kamenogorsk in eastern Kazakhstan, got a taste of the NHL with the Kings last season, playing in one game. He is getting a second look this season and has a goal and three points in six games.

His development hit a snag earlier this season while playing for the Kings’ American Hockey League team in Manchester, (N.H.), according to General Manager Dean Lombardi.

“He had his own agenda and thought he should be in the NHL,” Lombardi said in a meeting with season-ticket holders Saturday. “His numbers were brutal. He wasn’t doing anything the coach told him to do.”

Pushkarev, a second-round pick in 2003, was so unhappy he considered returning to Russia to play. Word of that reached the Kings’ front office and the response was to send assistant general manager Ron Hextall to Manchester for what Lombardi hoped would be a little in-your-face-time.

“Hex is down there and I call him and I’m losing my patience,” Lombardi said. “I’m in Western Canada, waiting in this huge line to cross the border and I’m yelling into the phone, ‘Get him out of here. I don’t want him around our players anymore.’

“I’m out of my car and I’m just screaming. The border guard is looking at me and wants to go through my trunk now. He was ready to frisk me, people are beeping their horns behind me and all I hear in my ear is Hex saying, ‘Calm down, I’ll take care of this.’ ... I’m yelling at him, ‘He’s going to tell every other player to try to go somewhere else to get their way.’ Hex is just saying, ‘Trust me, Dean, I can get to this guy.’ These are the critical moments in the development of a player.”

Hextall, it seems, got to him. Pushkarev’s play picked up considerably, to the point where he was not only called up on Jan. 4 but put on the Kings’ top line.

“Hex commands so much respect that even a Russian like Pushkarev can appreciate what he stands for,” Lombardi said. “Now there’s a joke around the office that this is Hex’s son. I think Hex saw a little of himself, because if you see Pushkarev play, he’s got that same type of competitive streak.”

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The Kings put forward Marty Murray on waivers. He had two assists in 19 games this season.... The Kings could have interest in goaltender Sean Burke, who was waived by Tampa Bay.

TONIGHT

vs. St. Louis, 7:30

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1540.

Records -- Kings 16-26-6, Blues 17-21-8.

Record vs. Blues -- 1-2.

Update -- The Blues are 10-2-2 in their last 14 games and have scored 14 power-play goals in that time.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.

chris.foster@latimes.com