A NEW MIDDLEMAN KINGS ACQUIRE RUGGED CENTER FROM BOSTON.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

TAMPA, Fla - After years of searching for a rugged offensive player needed to help them reach the Stanley Cup, the Kings think they found him Wednesday when they acquired Jason Allison from the Boston Bruins.

Six-foot-three, a former captain, and a 95-point scorer last season, Allison cost the Kings Jozef Stumpel and Glen Murray and a three-year deal worth $20.5 million.

But for a team hoping to build on last season's playoff run that ended within a game of the Western Conference finals, Allison has the pedigree to get them back there again.

``What is appealing about Jason, and why he was probably our first choice, is his combination of size, skill and ability as well as the fact he is only 26 years in age,'' Kings general manager Dave Taylor said.

Not only did Taylor pull off the biggest Kings trade since Wayne Gretzky 13 years ago, he shattered the perception of a cheap organization that failed to reach agreements with cornerstone players Rob Blake and Luc Robitaille in the past nine months.

Allison, a holdout Boston didn't think it could sign, will receive $5.5 million this season, $6.5 million next year and $8 million in 2003-04. And he will be two years from unrestricted free agency.

But perhaps just as important to acquiring Allison was the players Taylor did not have to trade.

Lubomir Visnovsky, an all-rookie defenseman last season, was discussed but not included. The Bruins also wanted Adam Deadmarsh, last year's playoff hero who scored two goals in Tuesday's 7-1 victory in Columbus. The Kings also kept their top three youngsters - Jaraed Aulin, Yanick Lehoux and Mike Cammalleri.

``This is an exciting time for the Los Angeles Kings,'' coach Andy Murray said. ``We liked the players we gave up, they were both quality people. But we have a chance to be everything we've set out to be, a contender for the Stanley Cup.''

Throughout the NHL, Allison is viewed as that kind of player. Last year, he had 36 goals and 59 assists. He was named the Bruins' captain when Mike Keenan replaced Pat Burns as coach early last season. Although Boston did not qualify for the playoffs the past two years, Allison displayed the grit Stumpel never provided.

He showed a little of it Wednesday morning. After agreeing to the contract Tuesday night, Allison awoke at 3:30 a.m. at his home in Boston and caught a 6:30 a.m. flight to Tampa, where the Kings face the Lightning tonight.

He participated in practice and will be paired with Deadmarsh and last year's top scorer, Ziggy Palffy, who ended a season-long slump with two goals Tuesday night.

``It's a perfect situation for me,'' Allison said. ``I couldn't be happier. I see nothing but good things for the organization. I'm expecting really big things out of the organization the next few years.''

The situation might not be bad for Stumpel and Murray either. Both broke in with the Bruins and played in the minors for Boston GM Mike O'Connell. Like Allison, Stumpel left the Bruins after a contract dispute. He also held out last season during training camp.

Andy Murray became increasingly frustrated with Stumpel's frequent injuries and passive play the past two years. Once a point-a-game scorer, Stumpel never came close to matching those numbers.

Glen Murray, who turns 29 next week, has had an inconsistent career since joining the Kings at the trading deadline in 1997. In four full seasons he twice has scored 29 goals. The other two years he scored 16 and 18 goals, respectively. Although Murray was one of the team's fastest skaters and had the hardest shot, those qualities never translated to the power forward the Kings were seeking.

After a breakout season last year, Allison went to the Bruins with a contract demand of three years for an average of $8.5 million per season. Boston president and former general manager Harry Sinden told Allison his demands were ridiculous. Negotiations throughout the summer were acrimonious, much like the Blake talks with the Kings last season.

As a restricted free agent, Allison had the leverage of holding out during training camp.

Boston was offering $4 million per year. The Bruins had just signed Detroit free agent Martin Lapointe to a three-year deal that pays him $5.2 million this season.

Allison, who earned a $3.5 million base salary last year with an added $1 million in incentives, lowered his demands, but not enough.

``It got to a point at the end were I wasn't happy with the whole situation,'' he said. ``I wanted to be happy where I was at a place where I was wanted, and on a team that had the chance to improve every year and compete for the Stanley Cup.''

Meanwhile, the Kings put a toe in the water with inquiries about Eric Lindros and Phoenix center Jeremy Roenick. Lindros, the former Philadelphia captain, didn't want to play in the West and finally went to the New York Rangers. Roenick, an unrestricted free agent, was traded to the Flyers the day before he was eligible for unrestricted free agency.

Taylor, who was named NHL executive of the year last season for his acquisitions of Deadmarsh, defenseman Aaron Miller and goaltender Felix Potvin, began preliminary discussion with O'Connell.

But Taylor didn't want to start dumping the young talent he had acquired through the draft and in the Blake deal with Colorado.

``That has always been our goal,'' he said. ``To build through the system.''

Boston got off to a quick start this season with a tenacious defensive style. But on offense they missed Allison's skill and grit. Although they stayed on top in the Northeast Division, the Bruins scored just eight goals on a recent six-game trip.

That's when talks heated up.

``We have a top-notch player joining us,'' Taylor said. ``We'll see what the future brings. He brings a lot of character and a lot of leadership.''

Staff Writer Lee Barnathan contributed to this report.

BIGGEST TRADES IN KINGS HISTORY

1. Aug. 9, 1988 - Wayne Gretzky, Mike Krushelnyski and Marty McSorley from Edmonton for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, first-round choice in 1989 (transferred to New Jersey), 1991 and 1993 drafts, plus cash estimated at $15 million.

2. Feb. 1, 2001 - Adam Deadmarsh, Aaron Miller, Jared Aulin and a first- round choice (David Steckel) from Colorado for Rob Blake and Steven Reinprecht.

3. Nov. 4, 1971 - Rogie Vachon from Montreal for Denis DeJourdy, Dale Hojanson, Noel Price and Doug Robinson.

4. June 20, 1999 - Ziggy Palffy, Bryan Smolinski and Marcel Cousineau and a fourth-round choice (Daniel Johansson) in 1999 draft for Olli Jokinen, Josh Green, Mathieu Biron and first-round choice in 1999.

5. Jan. 20, 1990 - Tomas Sandstrom and Tony Granato from the New York Rangers for Bernie Nicholls.

6. July 29, 1994 - Rick Tocchet and a second-round choice in the 1995 draft (Pavel Rosa) from Pittsburgh for Luc Robitaille.

?. Oct. 24, 2001 - Jason Allison and Mikko Eloranta from Boston for Jozef Stumpel and Glen Murray.

NOTE: June 23, 1975 - Marcel Dionne and Bart Crashley from Detroit for Don Maloney, Terry Harper and a second-round choice in the June 1976 draft was part of free-agent compensation to the Red Wings.

CAPTION(S):

4 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) The Kings traded forwards Jozef Stumpel and Glen Murray on Wednesday to obtain Boston captain Jason Allison, left.

Steve Nesius/Associated Press

(2) ALLISON

(3) MURRAY

(4) STUMPEL

Box:

(1) BIGGEST TRADES IN KINGS HISTORY (see text)

(2) THE TRADE