The Kings activated goalie Mathieu Garon from the injured list today and sent goalie Yutaka Fukufuji to Reading.

With the Kings in last place, it doesn’t matter a tremendous amount at this point, except in one area. Garon is an unrestricted free agent this summer, part of the group that GM Dean Lombardi said he will be open to trading. If Garon comes back strong, he could a) attract attention from other teams and net the Kings another coveted draft pick or two or b) impress the Kings enough that they try to resign him this summer. Yes, Dan Cloutier is under contract for $3.1 million next season, but if you were Lombardi, would you feel comfortable with that?

Speaking of Cloutier, he ambled through the dressing room last night using a brace on his arm to support himself as he walked on his surgically repaired hip. It hasn’t been said officially, but I think it’s more likely that you’ll see Roman Cechmanek in a Kings uniform this season before you see Cloutier. And we all know the chances of that happening…

So, Fukufuji is gone, and I’m not sure what to make of that. He showed some good instincts at times but the guy is just plain small, and I’m not sure what can be done about that.