BANFF, Canada — The voice followed King defenseman Rob Blake almost everywhere he skated. On the ice and the bench during games, and all through practice.

Others heard it, too. Rookie defensemen Alexei Zhitnik, 20, and Darryl Sydor, 20, couldn't get away from it.

It was the raspy voice of Paul Coffey, who, until he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 29, was Blake's defensive partner. In his days with the Kings, Coffey pushed the three youngsters, cajoling them and constantly exhorting them to play beyond their years. He offered praise and criticism, a one-man tutorial from a future Hall of Fame defenseman.

"He helped me out tremendously," said Sydor, who scored once and added an assist during Game 1 of the NHL playoffs against Calgary.

"He was unbelievable. Little things in skating certain angles up the ice. Getting away from guys. He taught little tricks like that."

Said Zhitnik: "Before, when I played in Russia, Coff was the best defenseman in the NHL. Two, three months I played with him. I learned lots from Paul. Great, great skater."

Blake, 23, gets the brunt of Coach Barry Melrose's wrath because he is the oldest of the three. Coffey was relentlessly on him as well. When Coffey was traded, he had one more piece of advice for Blake.

"He said it was time for me to step up and become the leader," Blake said. "He had a lot of the leadership role. Coff was great for the young guys. Even though he got on everybody, he was so intense he didn't want to make a mistake. He'd come to the bench and say, 'Hey, sorry about that.' "

As it turned out, Blake went on to have his best season with the Kings, scoring 16 goals and 59 points, including 10 power-play goals. After Coffey was traded, Zhitnik and Sydor received added responsibilities with increased ice time and some power-play duty. Zhitnik scored 12 goals and 48 points and Sydor had six goals and 29 points. The steady play of Zhitnik and Sydor is one reason the Kings are leading 1-0, heading into tonight's Game 2 of the Smythe Division semifinals.

This progress has pleased their former teacher, Coffey. Recently, Coffey spoke to Blake, offering his assessment.

"Darryl made a play and Coff called and said, 'He's learning,' " Blake said. "He likes to see how we're doing when he watches our games on TV."