[cferneyh]

Roenick's got a new excuse for last season. First it was a problem with his skates, but now he's saying that he intentionally showed up to camp out of shape to spite the NHL. Way to show 'em JR!

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Kings fans get a chance to welcome the Coyotes' Jeremy Roenick back to Staples Center today.

Last season, Roenick became the poster boy for the Kings' collapse. He was acquired in a trade, showed up to training camp out of shape and finished with nine goals.

In a TV interview last month, Roenick said that he intentionally showed up out of shape to spite the NHL for the lockout. Tim Leiweke, the Kings' governor, declined to speculate whether Roenick should return some of the $4.94 million the Kings paid him to show up in shape.

"The Roenick experiment was bad for him and worse for us," Leiweke said. "The risk we took, and the money we paid, he did not take on the responsibilities we needed him to take on. It was a major disappointment. We've learned our lesson and moved on."

I can't wait to hear what his excuse is for this season (4 points, minus 9).