KEEPING HOLD ON CAREER L.A.'S DEADMARSH EXPECTS TO RETURN AFTER LOST SEASON KINGS 2, TAMPA BAY 2.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

Even his closest friends don't ask whether Adam Deadmarsh will be back this season. They ask him whether he's going to retire.

Three months after suffering his second concussion of the year, Deadmarsh said he gets that question every day.

He was sidelined for his 44th consecutive game Thursday, a 2-2 Kings tie with Tampa Bay at Staples Center. Saturday's game against Boston will mark his 50th game missed this season.

But Deadmarsh said there is no way he is looking at the end of his career.

``I think it is important to let people know that just isn't true,'' he said Thursday. ``I certainly have been gone a long time, much longer than I ever thought possible. But I'm not gone for good. Most of the time I feel pretty normal.''

Deadmarsh has been cleared by the battery of neuropsychiatric testing used by the NHL to determine the extent of concussions. But he regularly is reminded that the shot he took to the head Dec. 15 against Phoenix remains with him.

At home with his family, he is fine. Walking around the Kings' training site in street clothes seems like old times.

But if he is out at a busy shopping mall or walking on a crowded street, he becomes lightheaded and disoriented.

Deadmarsh's fiery playing style has contributed to a growing number of injuries the past few years and led to the concerns about his career. He attends Kings games at Staples Center, but his health does not allow him to watch from the stands.

``That's still way too much,'' he said. ``I can only follow the game from the dressing room. Noise and crowds aren't good for me yet.''

Even on TV, Deadmarsh could see the Kings played one of their better games in recent weeks. They took the lead 5:44 into the game on Ziggy Palffy's 32nd goal of the season. Tomas Zizka recorded his first NHL point on the play.

But the Lightning has had the Kings' number for many years. Tampa Bay, headed to its first playoff appearance in seven years, entered the game 8-1-1 in its past 10 against the Kings in L.A.

Vaclav Prospal, who had the game-winner against the Kings on March 12, tied the game at 10:09 of the second period.

Palffy had a chance to win it with 1:40 left in overtime, but his backhander missed. Derek Armstrong, who scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, missed on the rebound and again in front with 10 seconds remaining.

Deadmarsh is one of six Kings who will miss the rest of the season with concussions. Linemate Jason Allison recently returned from a specialist in Montreal who recommended total rest for his concussion. Others include Steve Heinze, Mike Cammalleri and Ken Belanger.

Although the Kings' season has just eight games remaining, Deadmarsh's work hasn't even begun. His concussion has not allowed him to resume conditioning. He is not allowed to ride an exercise bike much less skate.

Deadmarsh knows the Mighty Ducks' Paul Kariya needed seven months to recover from a concussion several years ago. He frowns after learning that Kariya's teammate Andy McDonald recently relapsed from the impact when a Ducks flight landed.

``That's what is so frustrating for these players, who so often have come back early from injuries,'' Kings internist Michael Mellman said from Vero Beach, Fla., where he works with the Dodgers. ``There is so much uncertainty in this area. Adam has passed every test, but that only means those areas have not been affected. Our role is not so much to treat them, but to monitor their symptoms and help any way we can.''

Deadmarsh, who had 13 goals in 20 games this season, recently was seen in a television commercial with Boston center Joe Thornton for DirecTV. That commercial was shot last summer.

He is a restricted free agent, and the team said he will be offered this year's contract of $3 million. But now, he is thinking only about getting better.

``I'll be back,'' Deadmarsh said. ``But it so hard not knowing when.''

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Photo:

Aaron Miller, left, and goalie Jamie Storr surround Tampa Bay's Dave Andreychuk.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press