Ok, so now I am going to be back on track for reporting news. Sorry for the delays.
Schneider is on his way back
Amid the slew of injuries on its roster, the Ducks saw some encouraging news at Friday practice, as defenseman Mathieu Schneider skated for the first time in six weeks.
Schneider, who has been recovering from a broken ankle sustained in the Ducks’ second preseason game on Sept. 15 at Los Angeles, practiced for close to 20 minutes, initially skating alone and later among the team.
“It was exciting just to put the gear on,” Schneider said. “It was nice to get out there. It was even better once the guys came out. Being out there by yourself is no fun.”
Medically cleared to practice with the team yesterday, Schneider was pleased with the results in his first day back.
Read the rest here - Link
More Schneider news via the LA Times
The injury-plagued Ducks received some good news today when defenseman Mathieu Schneider skated for the first time since breaking a bone in his right ankle during his first exhibition game with his new team.
Schneider, who signed a two-year, $11.25-million contract in the off-season, was cleared by a foot specialist Thursday and tested his ankle for the first time at the start of practice at Anaheim Ice."I was really happy with the way it felt," Schneider said. "Obviously I have some work to do still. I felt a little shaky on it. But for the first day out there, I was really happy."
Schneider said he was skating at about 60% of his normal speed without taping his ankle. He hopes to begin practicing as soon as today or at least early next week.Read the rest here - Link
MVN has a look at Friday's practice
The Ducks had their third loss in a row to the Phoenix Coyotes last night and their third shutout in twelve games. At 4-7-1, they have a whopping 9 points, are 4th in the Pacific Division and 12th in the Western Conference. Ouch. The problem has not been a lack of work ethic, which coach Randy Carlyle has praised several times over the past few days. The problem is execution.
In last night’s game the Ducks limited the Coyotes scoring chances, dominated them in the faceoff circle, drew 6 penalties, and created chances. They just didn’t finish things off. Carlyle, sensing the Ducks frustration, took a different approach to practice today. Rather than continue to work them hard, it was time to pull back, take a deep breath and pick up the team’s spirits with a more light-hearted practice.
Read the rest here - Link
If your interested in the Burke-Lowe feud read it here. More interesting is the comments on Getzlaf's and Perry's contract negotiations-
The Ducks have had preliminary discussions with Getzlaf's representatives, Burke said, and would like to strike new deals with Getzlaf and Perry before season's end.
"I think maybe we'll be in a situation where we can get something done later in the year, or as soon as they're ready, I guess," Getzlaf said. "It's just a matter of time. I don't really think about it. Right now, I'm worried about winning hockey games. We haven't started the way we wanted. Contracts? I have a whole season to play."
Getzlaf and Perry, who have been virtually joined at the hip since arriving as rookies in 2005, would appear to be huge pieces of the club's future.
"It's definitely something we want to be part of," Perry said. "It's always nice to know they want you here for a long time. You have to prove yourself every day, though. You never know what can happen.
"I'd love to stay here. This is where my heart is. This is where I started my career, and you want to play where you start your career. It's definitely a great spot, with great fans, and all the guys on this team are very supportive and great guys, just fun to be around. I don't want to go anywhere."
Read the rest here - Link
LA Times analysis of the Ducks
In his two-plus years as the Ducks' general manager, Brian Burke has shown his willingness to make a bold move to improve the team.
Not all have worked out. (Jeff Friesen for a second-round pick?) But then there are deals such as the one for Chris Pronger that more than make up for those that fail.The toughest thing may be the inability to make a trade, which Burke is experiencing at the moment. The Ducks aren't scoring, and fixing what ails them is easier said than done.
"You look at the paucity of trades in the NHL. It's cap-related," Burke said. "It's hard to make deals now in this system. If you look at the number of deals in a cap system, it's down dramatically from three and four years ago.
"When you're talking to everybody about a deal, it's not only got to line up for your money, it's got to line up for his money too. It's not just us having a hard time making a deal. It's everybody."
The Ducks have already been shut out three times, and they're averaging only two goals a game. Finding someone to help replace the 77 goals that Teemu Selanne and Dustin Penner produced last season has been a chore.Read the rest here - Link
Ducks raise money for the Red Cross
Honda Center, the Anaheim Ducks, ABC7, KABC Talk Radio and KLOS teamed with the American Red Cross of Orange County to host a fundraising drive at Honda Center Friday to support the victims of the recent Southern California wildfires. This was the third time that Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks hosted a fundraising event with the American Red Cross; the two others were following the Laguna Beach fires in 1993 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
In addition to donations collected from community members attending the event, the Samueli Foundation, Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks together made a contribution in the amount of $100,000.
Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke receives a donation.
“These wildfires have affected each and every one of us in Southern California,” said Honda Center President/CEO and Ducks Executive Vice President/COO Tim Ryan. “We are proud to have local owners that support this community and allow us the privilege of teaming with the American Red Cross to help bring aid where it’s needed.”
Read the rest here - Link
Ducks are having cancer awareness night on Sunday
Executive Management Members, Coaches and Broadcasters Will Wear Pink Ties in an Evening Devoted to Raising Awareness and Funds for Fighting Cancer
The Ducks will join all National Hockey League teams by hosting Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night this Sunday, Oct. 28 when they play the Edmonton Oilers at Honda Center (5:05 p.m.). As part of the 10th Anniversary celebration, the Ducks join a league-wide initiative in honoring Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Month by devoting a home game in the month of October to raising awareness and funds for fighting cancer, benefiting the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“Cancer has affected nearly everyone in our organization in some way,” said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manger Brian Burke. “This is a tremendous league-wide initiative that we support whole-heartedly.”
In honor of bringing a heightened awareness to cancer, Ducks executive management, coaches and broadcasters will wear commemorative pink ties for Sunday evening’s game. In addition, in support of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, all NHL players have been wearing pink Hockey Fights Cancer decals on their helmets throughout the month. As Sunday’s contest marks the Ducks final game in the month of October, players will autograph helmets post-game, which will be auctioned online at anaheimducks.com, with proceeds benefiting the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Read the rest here - Link
