LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings acquired goaltender Roman Cechmanek from the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday for a second-round choice in the 2004 NHL draft.

	Potvin

	Cechmanek

The Kings have decided to part ways with goalie Felix Potvin, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. The Flyers began looking to deal Cechmanek after they lost to Ottawa in the second round of the playoffs.

"I'm so excited. It was my first choice to play in L.A.," Cechmanek said from the Czech Republic during a conference call. "It is something new, it's great for me, gives me a new chance.

"I think maybe it will be different hockey. The Kings play offensive hockey and I like it, more offensively and more European than in Philadelphia."

Asked if that meant he wants to face more shots than he did for the defense-minded Flyers, Cechmanek said, "I like it when I get more work and more shots."

Cechmanek, 32, had a 33-15-10 record in 58 regular-season games for the Flyers, and his 1.83 goals-against average was second in the league to Dallas' Marty Turco. Cechmanek's .925 save percentage was third-best in the NHL.

His career goals-against average is 1.96, lowest among goaltenders with at least 150 regular-season games since 1943-44. He has 20 shutouts.

An NHL All-Star in 2001, Cechmanek has played in 163 regular-season games since Philadelphia drafted him in the sixth round of the 2000 NHL entry draft.

Los Angeles general manager Dave Taylor believes Cechmanek is a good fit for the Kings.

"His track record speaks volumes," Taylor said. "We feel our coaching staff will be good for him to work with."

Flyers general manager Bob Clarke said after his team's six-game loss to Ottawa that Cechmanek's inconsistency in the playoffs would make it difficult to bring him back.

"He shuts a team out one night, but when you get down to the nitty-gritty and you let a soft goal in, it takes a lot out of your team emotionally," Clarke said after the series.

The goalie's stock with the organization -- and fans -- obviously went down when the Flyers were eliminated in the sixth game of their series against the Senators.

Cechmanek was fully aware of the boos from Philadelphia fans.

"I hear what people say. They hate me. I don't know why they hate me, hate our team," he said after the playoffs.

Asked Wednesday about his stay in Philadelphia, Cechmanek said, "We had a couple of problems, not big problems. In the playoffs, maybe it wasn't great, but not bad.

"It was tough for people, but for me, too. I don't know why that was the situation. I play for fans and teammates, but the Ottawa team was very strong and they played great."

Taylor said the Kings would pay all of Cechmanek's salary, reportedly $3 million next season and $3.5 million the following year. Potvin made $3.55 million this season.