Kuznetsov to Be Sent Down, or Lost

The Kings will know by Saturday if another team claimed struggling defenseman Maxim Kuznetsov after he was designated for reassignment Wednesday.

If Kuznetsov, who has a minus-five rating in 16 games, goes unclaimed, he would be sent to the Kings’ minor league affiliate in Manchester, N.H. Any team that claims Kuznetsov would have to pay half of his $575,000 salary.

“We’re hoping he doesn’t get claimed, but there’s always that possibility,” General Manager Dave Taylor said. “We had to create a roster spot to make room for Ian Laperriere. It was part [roster] numbers, part his play. He’s got to play with a little more bite for a guy his size.”

Kuznetsov, 26, missed training camp and the first month of the season because he was detained in Russia after failing to submit proper visa paperwork stemming from a drunk-driving arrest several years ago.

Kuznetsov, Sean Avery and two draft picks were acquired from the Detroit Red Wings for defenseman Mathieu Schneider in March.

-- Mike Bresnahan