Today's news has multiple previews of tonight's game and a couple of interviews with Drew Miller. Also according to the LA Times Getzy's wrist has shown improvement and he hopes to play tonight. Rob Niedermayer will stil be out. Enjoy!
AP Preview
As a rookie, Dustin Penner helped the Anaheim Ducks to the first Stanley Cup title in franchise history last season. They haven't fared nearly as well without him.
For the first time since signing with the Edmonton Oilers in the offseason, Penner returns to Anaheim on Sunday night to face his former club.
Penner had 29 goals and 16 assists during the regular season in 2006-07, and added three goals and five assists in the postseason during the Ducks' title run. But Anaheim chose not to match Edmonton's five-year, $21.25 million offer sheet to Penner, paving the way for the Ducks' second-leading scorer to join the Oilers.
The move triggered an ugly public spat between Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe and Anaheim counterpart Brian Burke. Lowe said he thinks Burke overreacted when the Oilers offered the big contract, and doesn't plan on speaking to Burke during Sunday's game.
"In some respects, Brian has tried to make it personal. But I'm not going to comment on that publicly," Lowe said Saturday. "He's certainly entitled to say what he wants to say. But there's people in this business who feel that any news is good news for the National Hockey League, and I think Brian subscribes to that theory."
Anaheim's title defense has gotten off to a rocky start. The Ducks (4-7-1) are near the bottom of the league as they're averaging 2.08 goals per game. They've also totaled only three goals during a three-game losing streak - one shy of their season-high from last season.
"I think the biggest thing is for us not to panic and start pointing fingers," Anaheim defenseman Chris Pronger said. "We're all making mistakes out there. It's a fine line between winning and losing. Those little mistakes we're making are costing us games."
Read the rest here - Link
If your interested in the Burke-Lowe rivalry, read these articles - Link or this one Link
A nice profile on Drew Miller
Every day in the NHL is important for a young developing player such as the Ducks' Drew Miller, but today's home game against the Edmonton Oilers has special meaning for the winger.
All 30 teams are recognizing one home game in October as Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night and the Ducks are doing their part tonight to raise money to benefit the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.But 23-year-old Miller already has a long history with his work in that area. During his sophomore and junior seasons at Michigan State, the winger started a program called Spartan Buddies, in which many of the school's student-athletes made visits to children in the hospital.
The program has continued after Miller left school to turn pro.
"It started catching on and people really wanted to be a part of it," Miller said. "It's really grown into a pretty good little program."
Miller first visited cancer-stricken youngsters in Omaha when he was 17 and playing Tier 1 junior hockey for the River City Lancers of the United States Hockey League.
"The first time I went, I really enjoyed it," he said. "To give back and just be around the kids, to see what they were going through and how happy they were when someone came to visit them. It really brightened up their day."Read the rest here - Link
Another profile on Drew Miller
When Drew Miller got sent back down to the minors toward the end of Ducks training camp, he figured he might not see much more of the NHL.
The Ducks had nearly a full complement of forwards, so there wasn't much of a need for a skinny left winger such as Miller.
"I was prepared to be down there for a while," Miller said.
How quickly things can change in the NHL.
Not only is Miller back with the Ducks, he has played a vital role filling in for injured Rob Niedermayer on the club's vaunted checking line with Samuel Pahlsson and Travis Moen.
Miller acknowledged that it feels good for the coaching staff to hand him that responsibility after he failed to earn a roster spot in training camp.
"I'm in the mindset knowing I have to be at a certain level everyday and contribute in the lineup," he said.
Coach Randy Carlyle said Miller's training camp was "not very good," particularly considering the expectations he has for the 23-year-old. Carlyle envisions the 6-foot-2, 170-pound Miller as a gritty player who can handle the grind minutes.
Miller, a three-year Michigan State player who earned CCHA's Best Defensive Forward his senior year, had 16 goals and 20 assists in his first pro season with AHL-affiliate Portland last season.
Read the rest here - Link
