LOS ANGELES, Jan. 3 -- The Los Angeles Kings Wednesday signed free agent right wing Marko Tuomainen and traded center James Blake to the New York Islanders for a conditional choice in the 2002 draft.
Tuomainen, 28, participated with the Kings during training camp on a tryout basis in September before signing with the Lowell Loch Monsters, Los Angeles' affiliate in the American Hockey League.
He led Lowell in points (35), goals (16) and assists (19).
In 63 games with the Kings last season, the native of Finland recorded nine goals and eight assists after signing a free agent contract on June 1, 1999.
Originally taken by Edmonton in the ninth round of the 1992 draft, the 6-3, 218-pound Tuomainen has 17 points and 80 penalty minutes in 67 NHL contests with the Oilers and Kings.
Blake, 27, registered a goal and three assists in 17 games for Los Angeles this season but was a healthy scratch in the Kings' last five contests.
In 82 career NHL games, all with the Kings, Blake recorded seven goals and 21 assists along with 36 penalty minutes.
