KINGS NOTEBOOK: CAT TO CLAW WAY BACK.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - Jamie Storr is in and Felix Potvin is out - but don't bet on it staying that way for long.

Storr, who helped the Kings to two victories and two ties last week, will start in goal Thursday against Edmonton. However, Potvin soon will get his chance for redemption because the team plays four games in four cities in six nights next week.

``It's all about trying to win and going with the guy who is playing well at that particular time, and it gives the other guy time to sort things out,'' coach Andy Murray said Tuesday.

``People always talk about starting the guy who's hot, but it's also about giving the other guy time to get his game back to where he wants to have it.''

Murray has been careful not to declare Storr his No. 1 goalie even though he has allowed just five goals in his last three full games. Among the 36 NHL goalies with at least 10 appearances, Potvin is ranked 31st with a 2.91 goals-against average.

``Felix is as professional as any athlete I've ever coached in terms of the way he conducts himself and the way he works,'' Murray said. ``We chatted before the game in Edmonton (last Thursday) and I explained that Jamie was playing, and Felix agreed that it would give him time to get some solid practices in.

``He will be back as the goaltender he was.''

--Hands off: Adam Deadmarsh remains day to day with a groin injury. He skated Tuesday for the second consecutive day but wore a white jersey, which Murray called the ``don't hit me'' jersey.

Deadmarsh took a spill on the ice, remained down for several seconds and skated gingerly to the bench but finished the practice.

``He's getting better, but I can't say (whether he will play Thursday),'' Murray said. ``We'll have to see how he feels (today).''

--Olympic dreams: The hockey rosters for the Winter Olympics must be submitted by Dec. 22, and Murray said he might ``call some guys I know'' to promote Jason Allison's possible selection to Team Canada.

Murray is familiar with the international hockey scene, as he coached the Canadian National Team from 1996 to 1998 and served as associate coach for Canada four years ago in the Nagano Games.

``I think that if he continues to play well, he has to be considered,'' Murray said. ``That's a good thing for us because there should be some real drive in him the next three weeks. I have no problem endorsing him.''

Allison is a darkhorse because of the time he missed this season as a contract holdout with the Boston Bruins and the great depth at center on Canada's national team. That depth provided a chance for Murray, a native of Souris, Manitoba, to show some national pride when asked who he thought should be favored in Salt Lake City.

``You mean for the silver?'' Murray said with a smile.

--Welcome back: Nelson Emerson, on injured reserve since Nov. 1 with lingering symptoms related to a concussion, skated for the first time. Murray said Emerson will have to practice 10 days ``before we even think about using him.''

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Thanks to the Kings' hectic schedule next week - four games in six nights - Felix Potvin will get the chance to regain his starting spot.

Adrian Wyld/Associated Press