KINGS UPDATE: KINGS CLOSE IN ON ROBITAILLE DEAL TO BRING BACK SCORING GREAT COULD HAPPEN AS SOON AS TODAY.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

The Kings are expected to have a deal in place today or Friday to bring back Luc Robitaille, the popular long-time left wing who will return for his third tour with the club after spending the past two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings.

Kings general manager Dave Taylor said Wednesday both sides have ``closed the gap'' during during discussions with Robitaille's representative Pat Brisson, making concessions on an incentive package that stalled talks earlier this month.

``This could be done in the next few days,'' said Brisson, who took the Kings latest proposal to Robitaille on Wednesday night. ``L.A. is the logical choice for Luc to come back and finish his Hall of Fame career.''

Robitaille, 37, played 13 of his 18 seasons with the Kings and has 631 lifetime goals. But he showed a decline last season with Detroit, scoring just 11 goals one season after recording 30 and helping the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup.

``We believe Luc still has a lot to contribute,'' Taylor said. ``We have been talking the past few days and both sides have closed the gap.''

In addition to negotiating with Robitaille, the Kings have decided to buy out the final year on the contract of veteran winger Steve Heinze, who will receive $2.25 million of the $6 million he signed before the 2001-02 season.

Heinze and Robitaille have an odd connection in Kings history. Robitaille left for Detroit after the 2000-01 season when he refused to accept a one-year, $2.5 million offer from the Kings.

To replace Robitaille, the Kings signed Heinze, 33, an unrestricted free agent who was coming off a career year with expansion Columbus and Buffalo.

After a fast start two seasons ago, Heinze was a bust with the Kings. He was tied for the team lead with 15 goals Jan. 15, 2002, but did not score another goal.

Although Heinze was a former teammate of center Jason Allison in Boston, the two did not have any on-ice chemistry. Heinze lost playing time, especially on the power play where he did most of his scoring in Columbus.

Last season, Heinze had just five goals and 12 points. He opened the season with minor-league Manchester, N.H. Despite a flurry of injuries on the Kings all season, Heinze was passed over several times before finally re-joining the Kings in December.

On Feb. 27, he suffered a concussion and didn't play again. He has been rehabilitating the injury all summer and remains less than 100 percent. But he hopes to play somewhere this season.

The Kings had the option of buying out Heinze at two-thirds of the remaining money and paying it out over two years, a procedure they used last summer on forward Nelson Emerson. Instead, Heinze will receive the entire sum in one check.

But since he is injured, he will receive his complete salary. Buying out Heinze's final year doesn't make it any easier to get the Robitaille deal done.

``We already had the buyout on Steve's contract in our budget,'' Taylor said. ``He is a quality guy and we wish him well.''

As for Robitaille, many view his return as a publicity move in the wake of the Mighty Ducks' signing of Detroit free agent Sergei Fedorov.

The Kings finished out of the playoffs for the first time in four seasons and the Ducks got within one game of the Stanley Cup.

Others see Robitaille's value as a scorer and a role model for youngster Alexander Frolov, who was impressive in his rookie year but needs work developing a stronger shot.

``I see Luc as a mentor who brings leadership and experience along with his goal scoring,'' Taylor said. ``I think he can be a valuable guy for Alex and a number of our young players.''

Matt McHale, [phone]

matt.mchale(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

The Kings are close to a deal to bring back Luc Robitaille, who played the past two years with Detroit.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer