DRAFT CAN'T GIVE KINGS SOLACE.

Byline: Tim Trepany Daily News Staff Writer

Some might call this the final insult of the 1995-96 season for the Kings.

Just getting over a scorching received off the ice for trading Wayne Gretzky and on the ice from opponents, the Kings won't be benefiting from the traditional reward for suffering through such a miserable season.

Even though they finished 16 games below .500 and tied with Dallas for the second worst record in the Western Conference, the Kings won't get to make a selection in Saturday's annual entry draft until the second round, barring any late deals.

That's because before the season they sent their first-round pick to the Washington Capitals as part of the trade that brought forward Dimitri Khristich and goalie Byron Dafoe to the Kings.

The Kings have two second-round picks, Nos. 30 and 37 (from Winnipeg) overall.

But general manager Sam McMaster has no regrets, even though the Capitals will get to draft fourth overall. He agrees with the general consensus that this year's draft lacks any clear-cut future superstars.

``I've been involved in a lot of drafts over 20 years and this is a unique draft in that . . . it's the type of year where there is no real standout, but there are a lot of guys who have a real good chance to play,'' he said. ``I feel very strongly we'll get two quality players in the second round. They don't vary much (in potential) in the top 40.''

The draft is open to North American players born between Jan. 1, 1976 and Sept. 15, 1978 and to non-North American players who are at least 18 as of Sept. 15, 1996.

Six of the top 10 ranked skating prospects by the Central Scouting Service are forwards - where the Kings' greatest need is - but McMaster doubts any will turn out as good as Khristich, who led the Kings with 27 goals and finished with 64 points.

McMaster said the Kings will take the best player available instead of trying to fill a need.

``They won't be ready (for the NHL) for three to four years; who knows what will happen to your team?'' he said.

Granato decision pending: The playing future of forward Tony Granato, who had brain surgery to remove a blood clot on Feb. 14 and missed the final 32 games, remains uncertain.

He has been able to ride a stationary bicycle but hasn't been cleared for workouts involving contact, McMaster said.

Granato will become an unrestricted free agent July 1 because the Kings, concerned about his future, did not extend him a qualifying offer that would have given them the right to match any offer from other clubs.

``It's a difficult situation,'' McMaster said. ``Tony wants to come back but Tony won't play until he gets 100 percent medical clearance. We might not know that until August.''

Add free agents: The Kings have extended contract offers to forwards Kevin Todd and Gary Shuchuk - both unrestricted free agents- but not to goalie Kelly Hrudey.

Other teams can begin negotiations with free agents July 1, and it's believed Todd and Shuchuk will test the market before making a decision.

McMaster continues to insist no decisions have been made about Hrudey, who is also unrestricted. But he acknowledged there have been no discussions between the Kings, Hrudey and his representatives, which indicates the veteran goalie won't be back.

The Kings, meanwhile, have extended qualifying offers to nine restricted free agents, meaning they will get the opportunity to match any offers the players sign with other teams.

They are: Doug Zmolek, John Slaney, Mattias Norstrom, Robert Lang, Barry Potomski, Nathan LaFayette, Philippe Boucher and Dafoe.

If the Kings choose not to match, they would receive draft-pick compensation.

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Photo: McMASTER