Kings’ Management Learns Its Tricks From School of Hard Knocks

First the Kings applaud themselves for retaining their No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, then turn around and trade next year’s first-round choice for a player whose career has been in steady decline. The team must initiate each new generation of management into office by hitting them in the head with a puck.

JAMES S. BRUST

San Pedro

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Three new hockey definitions:

1--Dumb: Sam McMaster trading Alexi Zhitnik for Grant Fuhr.

2--Dumber: Sam McMaster trading the Kings’ 1996 No. 1 draft pick for Dimitri Khristich.

3--Dumbest: The Kings retaining Sam McMaster as general manager.

BRUCE SALTZER

La Crescenta

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The Kings trade their 1996 first-round pick. Sam McMaster states: “We have to produce on the ice right now.” No, Sam, you don’t need to produce right now. King fans are willing to wait a few years while the team builds. We are used to waiting.

How can the Kings continue to make one bad move after another?

Jerry Buss, I’m pleading with you. Buy back the Kings, fire the current general manager and insert Jerry West.

CHRIS W. DEMOS III

Los Angeles