KINGS NOTEBOOK: AVERY ISSUE IS INTERNAL AFFAIR.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - Until now, Sean Avery's problems had been with external forces: referees, league officials, visor-wearing opponents and a large percentage of Canada's hockey-watching public.

But now, The Avery Issue has been internalized.

Kings coach Andy Murray made Avery a healthy scratch for the previous two games, and there's no indication that Avery will return to the lineup in the two games that precede the Olympic break. There is however, indication of a major strife between Avery and Murray regarding the player's attitude.

``It's very important in this business that you respect everyone around you: your teammates, your coaches and the people that buy the tickets to watch you play,'' Murray said. ``He needs to remember that.''

Not surprisingly, Avery didn't take kindly to Murray's comments.

``Did you ask fellow players if there was a respect issue?'' Avery said. ``Wow, I guess I don't respect the game. What exactly does that mean? I'd say two of the things that I probably value most are my teammates and the game. Why else would I be doing this?

``So if you were to ask me, I'd say I don't feel that's quite an accurate statement. I don't think it is. I thought (the benching) was because I didn't play hard enough. It's now turned into something else.''

At issue, it seems, is not so much Avery's recent propensity to take bad penalties but his practice habits and supposed poor treatment of teammates and coaches. Asked if the Kings had an Avery problem, veteran defenseman Aaron Miller took a bit of the diplomatic route.

``If it is or it was (a problem), it would be an in-house thing,'' Miller said. ``If we have problems with a teammate, we take care of it with each other. Sean has been one of our most consistent players all year. If they feel he's not playing well right now, they're going to sit him. That's all that's going on right now.''

Speaking in a general sense, Miller said, ``During a season, things come up with teammates. Sure they do. There's a lot of different personalities involved. It's really not a big deal.''

--No change: Jeremy Roenick declined comment for a third consecutive day regarding the gambling investigation of which he is a part. Authorities have notified Roenick of their desire to speak with him about the case, and his involvement as a bettor in the alleged gambling ring.

The scandal has hit home for Luc Robiaille, who is friends with several of those involved in the investigation, including Wayne Gretzky and wife Janet Jones, Roenick and Rick Tocchet.

``As far as I know, nobody has ever bet on a hockey game,'' Robitaille said. ``As far as I'm concerned, that's the most important thing. But I don't know about the situation with (Tocchet) or with anybody else. I caught a little bit of it on (the news,) but I don't really know what's going on.''

Rich Hammond, [phone]

rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com