By Matt McHale Staff Writer

SAN JOSE -- The scouting report on Jaroslav Bednar was impressive. It just wasn't exactly true.

It said Bednar, the Kings' third pick in last June's draft, was a great skater, who could take the hits in front of the net. But for the second consecutive year, it appears the Kings did not get the player advertised.

At 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, the Czech-born Bednar could take the hits. But in training camp, he rarely has been found mixing it up in the middle. Rather than digging for loose pucks in the corners the way coach Andy Murray likes, Bednar appears more content circling the ice waiting for a pass.

"We were told he would be one of our top six forwards," Murray said. "He may eventually become a top-six forward, but that first might mean spending some time in Manchester."

For a team looking to replace the 37 goals lost when Luc Robitaille signed with Detroit, the thought of sending Bednar to the minors is not good news.

It is early. But the cause for concern is magnified because the Kings have been down this ice before.

Last season, veteran European player Tomas Vlasak flopped with the club after leading the Czech Republic to the world championships. Vlasak was paired on the front line with Ziggy Palffy and Jozef Stumpel early in the season but could not skate well enough to keep up. He was back in Prague for Christmas.

The Kings say Bednar (pronounced Bed-nash) has superior skill to Vlasak. Like Vlasak, Bednar, 24, has seen playing time with Stumpel and Palffy. But the Czech-Slovak connection has yet to connect.

"There are a lot of things that go into playing in the NHL," said Palffy, who took in Vlasak last year during training camp. "There are language problems and just getting comfortable with your surroundings. Those things can all play with your confidence. But (Bednar) is a skill player. It will come out."

For a player who just recently arrived in the U.S., Bednar's English isn't bad. But in a recent meeting with Murray to discuss the team's expectations, Stumpel was brought in to serve as an interpreter. Palffy said there is no problem communicating on the ice, but the language barrier can pose problems taking instruction during games and practices.

"Everybody is different," said Palffy, who learned English watching cartoons during his rookie year with the New York Islanders. "He knows we are there for him."

Bednar played the past three years in the Finnish Elite League. His 32 goals got the Kings' attention. Robitaille was getting older and the Kings were hoping to maintain their offense without signing a high-priced free agent.

Bednar's new teammate Jere Karalahti played in Finland for many years before joining the Kings 1 1/2 years ago. He remembers how overwhelmed he seemed at the beginning. Karalahti also recalls how his conditioning needed to improve to play in the NHL.

"The thing that struck me most was how much faster the game is over here," Karalahti said. "The rinks are larger over there and that is a big difference, too. For me it took a month or more to get used to it, but I am still learning."

Bednar also has been hindered by a move to left wing after playing the right side his entire career. Palffy was the Kings leading scorer last season with 89 points. He plays right wing beside Stumpel.

But Murray also thinks part of the problem was the Finnish style of hockey that often features a forward strictly designed for offense.

"I think he learned in that system, but over here we need more of a two-way player," Murray said. "Right now, we'd like to see him add some structure to his game. The skill is there, but it could take some time."