Brad Smyth Acquired From Panthers

In a move designed to add more scoring punch, the Kings acquired right wing Brad Smyth, the MVP of the American Hockey League last season, from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 1997 third-round draft choice Thursday.

Smith, 23, has one goal in eight games for the Panthers, but last season he scored 68 goals in 68 games and finished with 126 points for Carolina in the AHL. He will join the Kings tomorrow.

“It’s good [to have the right-handed Smyth] because we already have four left-handed shots at right wing,” Coach Larry Robinson said.

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Defenseman Rob Blake grew up in the same hometown (Simcoe, Ontario, population 14,000) as Calgary rookie goalie Dwayne Roloson, who shut the Kings out, 2-0, Wednesday night.

“We’ve played together since we were 6 years old and he was the best goalie around by far,” said Blake of Roloson, 27. “It might have took him longer to get here than the average player, but he showed tonight the type of player he is.”

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Winger Kevin Stevens returned after sitting out the Kings’ 5-1 victory over Edmonton on Wednesday because of a back strain.