`Clunatic’ finds stability

Since the trade deadline, a few players have passed through the Kings’ fourth line. Fredrik Modin, Jeff Halpern, Raitis Ivanans, Brad Richardson, Jarret Stoll, Scott Parse. The one player who has stuck has been Rich Clune, who has carved out a nice role for himself as the type of fourth-line agitator the Kings envisioned in training camp, before Clune got hurt. Clune has two assists in nine games, but more importantly he has taken only two minor penalties and drawn at least that many, meaning that he’s not a “negative” player in that agitator role. Clune will stay on the fourth line tomorrow, with Ivanans and Stoll. Here’s what Terry Murray said today about Clune, and the fourth line…

MURRAY: “We liked him coming out of the training camp. He did everything he possibly could to earn the right to be on the hockey club, and unfortunately injuries became a part of the decision, and it became a non-decision. He’s an energy player that can bring intensity to the game, change the momentum of the game. He’s going to go out and get some hard play. He’s going to get into the odd fight here and there, and he’s just going to bring that emotional level to the game. And also, on the other side of it, he’s there as a player that gives us a bit of an identity, with Raitis, to help our protection and help our skill players feel comfortable. With Chicago, they’re going to have three or four guys that are going to be heavy and hard players.”