Anaheim Ducks News for Wednesday

Schneider is Back! He will be making his debut this Thursday. In other news Burke is still continuing to shop Bryzgalov and a report from the latest Ducks practice. I also have some other minor news

Schneider is back! Or is that he is here, I mean after only playing one preseason game was he really here?????

Mathieu Schneider will make his long-awaited official debut with the Ducks on Thursday night at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets after six weeks of rehabilitation to repair a broken bone in his left ankle.

Schneider, 38, missed most of training camp and the first 13 games of the regular season after breaking his ankle in a Sept. 15 exhibition game against the Kings -- his first game with Anaheim since signing a two-year, $11.25-million deal.

"I'm chomping at the bit," Schneider said. "I'm sick of riding the [stationary] bike and I'm sick of practicing already. So I'm ready to go."

Read the rest here - Link

Bryzgalov is still being shopped

With just 10 points in 13 games, the title defense of the Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks is off to a sputtering start.

The absence of several key players, though, is partly to blame.

Team captain Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne, last season's scoring leader, remain out of the lineup pondering retirement, and injuries to Ryan Getzlaf, Todd Bertuzzi, Mathieu Schneider and Rob Niedermayer has hurt Anaheim's offensive production.

General manager Brian Burke recently admitted shopping around in hopes of bolstering his forward lines. He is believed to be dangling goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov as trade bait, but thus far he's had no luck finding a trade partner.

Burke recently told the Los Angeles Times that other clubs aren't willing to deal this early in the season, citing the salary cap as the main stumbling block.

Bryzagalov likely will be dealt before midseason, perhaps no later than the Christmas trade freeze in late December, when teams seeking a goaltender will be more willing to absorb his $1.363 million contract.

Read the original article here - Link

MVN has a report from today's practice

The Ducks were given Monday and Tuesday off from practice, but were back on the ice Wednesday morning. Both Ryan Getzlaf and Rob Niedermayer were practicing with their regular linemates. They will be evaluated further after tomorrow’s skate and a game time decision will be made. However, they should be ready to go. Defenseman Mathieu Schneider was also on the ice practicing full out with the team. Todd Bertuzzi (concussion) still has not been cleared to work out.

The Ducks went through an off ice workout, then went on the ice for a 50 minute practice that included plenty of drills. Once again the lines are switched up, but with all the players going in and out of the line up it is understandable. Andy McDonald has been reunited with Chris Kunitz and Todd Marchant has joined them on the top line. Marchant, who recently shaved his head for Halloween (last year Dr. Evil, this year Mr. Clean), seems to be a good speedy match for that line. Ryan Getzlaf was back with Corey Perry and coach Randy Carlyle was trying out Travis Moen on that line. Carlyle stated that they needed to “explore all the options available to us.” However, that combination is not etched in stone. Instead of Moen on the checking line, Drew Miller continues with Sami Pahlsson and Rob Niedermayer. Miller filled in on that line while Niedermayer missed three games with a sore groin. Miller fits well on that line, but Carlyle does not believe it is fair to put that kind of pressure on a young player with the expectations that are on that checking line. As a result, Miller and Moen might switch lines. The fourth line was made up of Brad May, George Parros and Mark Mowers.

Read the rest here - Link

Vote in the FSN name the rivalry - Link

Marchant shaves his head and other Ducks notes

Last year Marchant shaved his head bald to go as Dr. Evil.

Halloween traditionally evokes images of pumpkins, ghosts and goblins. For the Ducks, it means a second straight year of Todd Marchant going bald.

After shaving his head to don a Dr. Evil costume at last year’s team Halloween party, Marchant once again took a razor to his scalp, this time to be Mr. Clean at this year’s team gathering held Monday in Newport Beach.

“I enjoy it,” Marchant said after Wednesday’s practice. “I look forward to dressing up. You try to make a statement I guess.”

The 14-year veteran center feels the fun of Halloween came at a good time for the Ducks, winless in their past four games.

“It lightens things up around the dressing room and hopefully we can turn this around,” Marchant said.

Among the other Ducks attended the dress-up soiree, rookie Drew Miller went as a wizard, a costume that sounded fairly intricate.

“I had the mask, the whole robe, the hat and the big cane,” Miller said.

As the Halloween fun is put to rest Thursday, the Ducks will look to scare Columbus off Honda Center’s ice for their first win since Oct. 17. They will likely have the help of previously injured players Ryan Getzlaf and Rob Niedermayer, and possibly Mathieu Schneider. Each took part in Wednesday’s 50-minute practice.

Read the rest here - Link