AMONTE EMERGES AS CHICAGO'S NEW SCORING LEADER : THE PENALTY BOX.

Byline: TIM TREPANY

A quick check of the NHL goal-scoring leaders provides the usual names: Jagr, Lemieux, Sundin, Leclair.

But right behind them is a newcomer to the goal-scoring race. Chicago's Tony Amonte was tied for fifth with 24 goals entering Monday's games.

The former third-round draft choice is blossoming now that the Blackhawks have passed the mantle of No. 1 scorer to him.

An adequate scorer before, he's turning into one of the league's best in his fifth season in the NHL. He's on a 46-goal pace, which would better his career-high by 13.

He's improved even though the Blackhawks have struggled this season after the departures of Jeremy Roenick (traded to Phoenix after a holdout), Bernie Nicholls (signed as a free agent with San Jose) and Joe Murphy (signed with St. Louis) - a trio that accounted for 73 goals and 105 assists last season.

But Chicago coach Craig Hartsburg isn't surprised.

``Tony was our best forward last season and our most consistent,'' he said. ``He gives you an honest effort each night.''

Fresh off playing for gold-medal winning Team USA in the World Cup of Hockey, Amonte reported to the Blackhawks in the best shape of his career.

``I was really excited to get back to Chicago and begin playing,'' he said. ``It seemed like this was the time for me, coming off that great victory. I have historically been a slow starter, so for me, I felt that skating on August 15 and playing in some of the best hockey in the world would be great.''

He's come a long way since he was a 165-pound third-round draft choice in the 1988 Entry Draft. He's since added 25 pounds without losing his quickness or his goal-scoring touch.

Every season, NHL teams hope new players can fill the roles of departed ones. In Chicago's case, Amonte is working out.

Trading block: The Blackhawks are attempting to trade Ed Belfour, but are finding there isn't much of a market for him.

Tampa Bay, which has been looking for a capable goalie ever since Darren Puppa was injured, has backed off while San Jose has shown mild interest.

If Belfour can't get traded, he should look in the mirror to see the reason why. Not only is he an unrestricted free agent after the season, but he's become disruptive in the dressing room, telling Jeff Hackett,``You're nothing more than a backup.'' He also told Hackett to stay on his side of the room.

No word if he threatened to tell mommy if Hackett stepped over his boundary.

Kings consider AHL: The Kings are so serious about developing their own talent that they're considering becoming affiliated with the American Hockey League.

The Kings currently have an agreement with Phoenix of the International Hockey League to provide about 10 players. The IHL is considered the most competitive minor league because several teams have players in their 30s and emphasize winning, a bad mix when you're trying to develop young players.

When the Kings sent prize prospect Aki Berg, 19, to Phoenix earlier this season, coach Larry Robinson envisioned the team's No. 1 draft choice in 1995 being used every second shift and playing on the power-play and penalty killing units.

Instead, the Roadrunners treated Berg as just another player. If he was going to play, it had to be earned. He saw regular shifts, but not as much as the Kings had hoped, especially on special teams. Berg was recalled by the Kings on Monday.

Because the AHL is a developmental league, the Kings are considering options that range from buying an existing franchise or starting one to agreeing to provide a certain number of players to a team.

Front-office officials are studying the feasibility of each option and plan on sending a report to Kings co-owners Philip Anschutz and Edward Roski Jr. by the end of the month.

The cost of buying an expansion team is $2 million, which is not considered prohibitive.

``When you don't own the team you can't dictate what to do,'' Kings general manager Sam McMaster said. ``The (IHL) is a very old league where a lot of younger players can't get ice time.

``Next year is a big development year for us. We're probably going to sign four players who are coming out of juniors.''

The Kings would continue their relationship with Phoenix, sending their veteran minor-leaguers there, McMaster said.

Let me outta here: The goals aren't coming as easily as they once did for Alexander Mogilny, so he wants out of Vancouver.

``If it doesn't change, I hope when they make a trade - it's me. And I've told them as much,'' the former 76-goal scorer said.

He later added, ``Maybe it will give those guys up there something to think about.''

Mogilny had only 16 goals in Vancouver's first 38 games. He's been hindered by the Canucks' shortage of quality centers.

Benoit Hogue, Dallas

Upset that he wasn't getting any ice time and that Brent Gilchrist was being double-shifted in his place, Hogue got up, left the bench and disappeared into the dressing room last week. Before his departure, Hogue also threw his stick on the ice when the Stars scored a goal.

PLAYER WATCH

Jon Rohloff, Boston

Injuries forced Bruins coach Steve Kasper to move the defenseman to forward. Rohloff, in his first game up front since he was 13 years old, scored two goals. ``I got lost a couple of times. If I was ever in doubt, I started skating backward like a defenseman until I figured out where I was supposed to be,'' he said.

SAY WHAT

``Why couldn't I run into Pat Falloon?'' Philadelphia's Paul Coffey, who suffered a concussion after colliding with teammate Eric Lindros. Lindros is 6-foot-4, 236 pounds. Falloon is 5-11, 190.

TOP 10 AND NO. 26

1. Philadelphia

2. Colorado

3. New York Rangers 

4. Florida

5. Dallas

6. Pittsburgh

7. Detroit

8. New Jersey

9. Buffalo

10. Hartford

26. Kings

L.A. ON ICE

KINGS

Today - Vancouver

Thursday - Buffalo

Saturday - St. Louis

Countdown to 1997 NHL Entry Draft has begun.

MIGHTY DUCKS

Wednesday - Florida

Friday - Buffalo

Sunday - at Vancouver

Watch Teemu Selanne play and try to figure out why he's not an all-star.

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