Even though this was a holiday weekend, there was still hockey going on and lots of news. So here you go!
Did you see Jonas Hiller's masks on Friday? Here is a lot closer look - Link
The latest Duck Cast has been posted featuring Brent Severyn - Link
A lady named Kathryn got to participate in the Stanley Cup celebration and posted her photos here - Link
OC Register Ducks blog has a look at the line changes
The latest twist in Ducks coach Randy Carlyle’s season-long quest to ice two productive scoring lines involves newcomer Brian Sutherby.
Sutherby, an erstwhile center acquired Monday from the Washington Capitals, moved to left wing alongside the team’s top two scorers, center Ryan Getzlaf and right wing Corey Perry, during Friday’s 4-3, shootout loss to the visiting Phoenix Coyotes, and skated there again during Saturday’s practice. While Carlyle would never publicly identify line combinations, chances are that Sutherby will start in that spot Sunday night, when the Ducks face the Kings at Honda Center.
Read the rest here - Link
Sutherby profile via the LA Times
The more nights he spent watching from the Verizon Center press box in Washington, the more Brian Sutherby sensed his days with the Capitals were numbered.
To say that being traded to the Ducks on Monday was welcomed would be an understatement."I'm excited," Sutherby said. "I had no idea where I was going. I wasn't in the lineup very much so I was kind of expecting to be moved. When I found out it was Anaheim, it was exciting."
Sutherby, 25, is viewing this opportunity as a new start after leaving behind unfulfilled expectations in Washington.
A first-round pick of the Capitals in 2000, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Sutherby never grew out of a checking role there. He fell further on the depth chart at center when they acquired Michael Nylander and promoted rookie Nicklas Backstrom.Read the rest here - Link
Perry contract status update via the OC Register
With 12 goals and 19 points, right wing Corey Perry ranks first and second, respectively, among Ducks scorers entering tonight's game against the Kings at Honda Center.
Perry's 36 penalty minutes, a product of an edgy style that often infuriates opponents, are third on the team. At 22, the third-year right wing is nowhere near reaching his immense potential, in the estimation of Ducks coach Randy Carlyle.
So, given that Perry's entry-level contract stands to expire at the conclusion of this season, Ducks executives would figure to be working intently on a deal to guarantee that Perry's hockey future remains in Anaheim, just as the club did Tuesday by signing Perry's sidekick, center Ryan Getzlaf, to a five-year, $26.625 million pact.
Read the rest here - Link
How Scott Niedermayer affects Perry
Niedermayer, who's still under contract with the Ducks, was sighted in recent weeks skating in a rink in Anaheim, fueling speculation he could be back by January.
If so, his return could complicate Anaheim GM Brian Burke's attempts to re-sign winger Corey Perry, a restricted free agent next summer who's on pace for a 40-goal season.
Burke presently has over $46 million committed to 17 players for next season. If Niedermayer retires it'll free up $6.75 million, giving Burke the cap space he needs to re-up Perry and fill out the rest of his roster.
Read the rest here - Link
Tired of seeing the Kings? So are the Ducks.
After the Ducks completed practice Saturday, Coach Randy Carlyle stood outside the team's locker room at the Honda Center and gave a one-word reply when asked about playing the Kings tonight.
"Again!" he said, making his feelings clear about facing the Ducks' Southern California neighbors for the fifth time in less than two months.
"We played them in our first two games in England and we've played them twice since," said Carlyle, whose Ducks lead the series, 2-1-1. He later added, "This will be game five. So we're more than halfway there."Read the rest here - Link
MVN has a look at the Ducks
This week it felt like the Ducks took a step backward after a regulation loss to Dallas on Wednesday and a shootout loss to Phoenix last night. Coach Randy Carlyle stated there is “lots of room for improvement for us.” One of those areas is the penalty kill. They spent quite a bit of time on that this morning at practice.
The penalty kill has not been stellar this year and ranks 28th overall in the NHL with a 78.9% success rate. That is not good enough for a team that wants to defend their Stanley Cup title. The Ducks took two fluke penalties in Dallas with consecutive pucks going over the boards. Two delay of games, two power play goals in :41 seconds for Dallas, game over. Last night the Ducks took what was termed a “good” penalty by Carlyle towards the end of the game. Instead of killing the penalty, the Coyotes scored on the power play to tie up the game and went on to take the extra point in a shootout.
Read the rest here - Link
