Anaheim Ducks News - Vacation Catchup Part 1

Chris Kunitz is interviewed on the latest  Duckcast - Link

Brian Bochenski profile and an upated on Pahlsson/May

Brandon Bochenski first had Orange County on his mind about two weeks ago.

His wife, Jennifer, bought a DVD box set of "The OC," the teen soap opera set in Newport Beach. A week later, on Jan. 2, Bochenski was traded from Boston to the Ducks.

The other, more important twist of fate is that Bochenski has gone from a peripheral player in Boston to a second-line wing for the surging Ducks.

Read the rest here - Link

May is ready

Brad May has been in the NHL long enough that he doesn’t need to be told that there’s always someone ready to fill your shoes.

Nothing is a certainty, even for a 17-year pro like May. The veteran moved closer to returning to the lineup Friday when he skated with the club. But he knows the Ducks have changed dramatically since he went down with a broken bone in his right foot in practice on Dec.15. They’ve gone 8-2-1 with first place San Jose in their sights.

Young players like Ryan Carter and Brandon Bochenski have capably filled roles held by injured Samuel Pahlsson and re-assigned winger Bobby Ryan. The fourth line of Todd Marchant, George Parros and Brian Sutherby had been intact for some time until Parros injured a knee.

Read the rest here - Link

Pahlsson is waiting.....

Samuel Pahlsson wants back in the Ducks' lineup but his sore abdomen isn't allowing it.
Pahlsson missed his eighth consecutive game Wednesday as additional rest has not helped alleviate inflammation in the area. The veteran center has been able to participate in practice but he isn't ready to go back up against the game's top forwards.

"It's frustrating," Pahlsson said. "I felt good for a while and it's frustrating when it comes back. And it doesn't get better. It's no fun to play when you don't feel good."

Read the rest here - Link

But he and May seem to be ready

Back at practice after a day off following their decisive victory over Toronto on Wednesday, the Ducks got some more good news Friday as forwards Samuel Pahlsson and Brad May went through a grinding session without a hitch.
Both appear set to return from injury for the Ducks' home game Sunday against San Jose, leaving Coach Randy Carlyle with this question:
Whom does he sit?
Pahlsson figures to jump back into his customary spot centering the checking line after sitting out eight games because of abdominal inflammation. If that's the case, the Ducks will have to find a new place for rookie Ryan Carter, who has shined in place of the veteran.

Read the rest here - Link

Pronger and Getzlaf are all stars

Back in his early days of junior hockey, Ryan Getzlaf was like many youngsters who dreamed of being a star in the NHL but also worried if they would ever be drafted.
Getzlaf's only worry now is dealing with impending stardom, after the Ducks' center earned his first All-Star game selection Thursday as the Western Conference reserves were announced for the Jan. 27 event in Atlanta.

A participant in the NHL's YoungStars game last year in Dallas, Getzlaf earned a spot in the showcase game as he leads the Ducks with 48 points. The 22-year-old center is on a career-best nine-game point streak and has 17 goals and 31 assists.

Read the rest here - Link

Ryan Getzlaf is an All Star

Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf admits he’s still a kid at heart. He enjoys playing with his three dogs, enjoys watching football or Seinfeld re-runs and will watch plenty of hockey highlights on his off nights.

But don’t let that youthful exuberance fool you. When the 22-year-old Saskatchewan native laces on the skates and steps on the ice, he’s all business. As if leading his team in scoring during its Stanley Cup run last season wasn’t proof enough, now Getzlaf gets an opportunity to skate among the League’s elite after being named to the Western Conference roster yesterday for the NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 27 in Atlanta.

"It’s a real exciting opportunity for me and I consider it an honor being selected," Getzlaf said. "I’ve looked up to a lot of the players that I’ll be playing with and against in the game. It’ll give me a chance to talk to them about the different experiences they have been through. I hadn’t made any plans for that day, so I’ll be there."

Read the rest here - Link

Perry not quite an all star (although he is)

Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf and defenseman Chris Pronger were obvious choices for selection to the Jan. 27 NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta. The unfortunate part of the equation is the exclusion of right wing Corey Perry.

Perry is tied for eighth in the NHL with 23 goals, and ranks higher on that list than every player in the Western Conference except Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames and Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings, each of whom earned an all-star berth in fan voting to choose the game’s starters. And yet, Perry will not be going to Atlanta.

Read the rest here - Link

A profile on Bertuzzi

Since the smiles haven't been coming a lot the past two seasons, it's a relief to hear Todd Bertuzzi say he's "having fun" playing the game lately. The usually stoic Bertuzzi has reason to be happy, since he's playing his best hockey in a long time. It's something he had hoped would happen much sooner after he was signed by the Ducks over the summer. 
After back surgery and a concussion limited Bertuzzi’s 2006-07 campaign to just 31 total games (15 in the regular season and 16 in the playoffs) between Florida and Detroit, Bertuzzi was glad to be healthy to start this season. But while just getting comfortable with the Ducks, the Sudbury, Ontario native suffered another concussion after a hit from Minnesota enforcer Derek Boogaard on Oct. 14. The injury would end up costing him another 14 games.

Read the rest here - Link

Anaheim Ducks News for Tuesday

Inside Ducks TV, Nashville vs Ducks - Link

The New Element has been posted

A cool set of highlights - Link

Kids Club Party Report - Link

Parros getting a cut - Link

Game Day Preview

An unfamiliar foe makes its way to Anaheim Wednesday night, as Toronto comes to Honda Center for the first time since 2003. And the new opposing faces are a welcomed sight for the Ducks.
“It’s just nice to see a different team,” Todd Bertuzzi said. “I think after awhile you get tired of the meetings when you know the opponent each and every time. It refreshes things.”
Rated by Forbes magazine as the most valuable NHL franchise, the Maples Leafs, also an Original Six member of the league, are not your average Ducks opponent. With them comes a large fan base.
“I’m sure you’re going to see more than your ample share of blue and white in the stands because there are lots of transplanted Canadians in California,” Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle said. “It’s easily the most recognizable hockey franchise. Having played there a number of years ago and with the branding that’s taking place in the game, Toronto is front and center.”

Read the rest here - Link

Ducks looking forward to the Leafs

Ducks coach Randy Carlyle hails from Sudbury, Ontario, the home province of Toronto, so it is safe to assume he was a Toronto Maple Leafs fan growing up rather than a Montreal Canadiens follower.

"Those were the days when it was French vs. English in northern Ontario," Carlyle said. "It made for a natural rivalry."

Carlyle also spent his first two NHL seasons with Toronto. Several of his current players are from the area, and it is with a bit of nostalgia and adrenaline that they will host Toronto on Wednesday in a rare Southern California appearance by the Maple Leafs.

Read the rest here - Link

Getzy and Perry in the All Star game?

Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry have carried the Ducks offensively through the first half of the season and rank among the top Western Conference forwards.

On Thursday they will learn if it is enough to make their first All-Star game.

Perry is third in the Western Conference with 22 goals, behind Calgary’s Jarome Iginla and Henrik Zetterberg of Detroit. Getzlaf is sixth among Western Conference forwards in scoring with 17 goals and 29 assists.

Iginla and Zetterberg were named starters on Tuesday. Western Conference reserves, selected by the NHL’s operations department in conjunction with league general managers, will be announced on Thursday. The All-Star game is Jan.27 in Atlanta.

Read the rest here - Link

One more look at Getzlaf and Perry

The hockey world took notice of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry in the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring but the true recognition of whether they've arrived as stars might come Thursday.
It is when the NHL will announce the rest of the lineup that will represent the Western Conference in the league's all-star game, which is Jan. 27 at Philips Arena in Atlanta. The starters were announced Tuesday.

Both Getzlaf and Perry have credentials that could earn the 22-year-olds a first-time nod in the midseason showcase.

Read the rest here - Link

Anaheim Ducks News - Thursday News

Well here is the rest of the non related game news.

The LA Times takes a look at how the Ducks have played this season

Giguere suggested the problem lies between their ears.
"It seems as if we've turned it on and off mentally at times," he said.
"This is something we can control. It has nothing to do with these teams and the way they play. It has everything to do with how we play. We've got to make sure we control what we can control, the best way we can."
The trouble, Giguere said, is that, aside from Sunday's come-from-behind win over the Kings, when the Ducks get down in games, they stay down. And talking about it hasn't helped.

Read the rest here - Link

A Great profile on Pronger via canada.com

"This season has been different for me and everyone in here because of those guys not being here," says Pronger, "but the one thing you don't want to be doing is trying to change your game to make up for somebody else. I've just tried to do the same things I've always done. I try to find the edge and be on the edge."

"There's no question he has an edge to his game," said Canucks centre Brendan Morrison the morning before he was grabbed by the scruff of the neck by his Team Canada teammate during one of the scrums Tuesday evening. Morrison has had lots of run-ins with Pronger and there is considerable mutual respect, although now he's a veritable teddy bear compared to the old days.

Read the rest here - Link

A look at the champions in the Getzlaf family - via Canada.com

"We've had a pretty good year for our family, you can't really argue with that," chortled the Ducks' star centre early Thursday afternoon, prior to a date with the Calgary Flames. "But it was an exciting thing for him to go through and to experience that.

"It's all been pretty big. My brother has spent a little time in the shadows the last little while with all the hockey going on, and it was so nice to see him get rewarded for all the work he's put in and being part of a championship team."

Read the rest here - Link

NHL Returns to the old schedule style - Via CBC

So, the games against division rivals will be reduced from eight to six, a merciful move for some, a concern for other teams. Games against conference rivals will remain at four apiece, with a single game against all of the other conference teams. Under the current system, teams play just 10 games against the other conference, missing five teams every year.
In the new/old system, that leaves three at-large, or wild-card games which, in the case of Canadian teams, will be played amongst themselves, which is a good thing.
On the horizon, though, is likely an 84-game season, though that is not entirely a lock.

Read the rest here - Link

Anaheim Ducks News for Tuesday

Here is the rest of the day's news.  If you are looking for the game report, click here.

Mowers is on waivers via TSN - Link

 Burke denies a rumor

Ducks General Manager Brian Burke took the time Tuesday morning to address speculation out of Toronto about a job that, at least for the moment, isn't even open.
Burke said he is not interested in becoming the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, even though John Ferguson Jr. is still employed in that capacity by the team.

Articles in the Hockey News and by the Canadian Press speculated Burke would be a good fit to succeed the besieged Ferguson, who, according to reports out of Toronto, may be fired with the Maple Leafs sitting in the Northeast Division basement.

Read the rest here - Link

Profile on Perry and Getzlaf

No one ever will accuse Corey Perry or Ryan Getzlaf of being the touchy-feely type, so there should be no expectations of spontaneous “You complete me!” outbursts from either player.

But after more than three years, it has become abundantly clear that each Anaheim Duck forward is made more complete by the presence of the other.

Read the rest here - Link

Pacific Division update from the NHL.com

When the Anaheim Ducks and Ryan Getzlaf agreed to a five-year contract extension last week that will keep the emerging star in Anaheim for a sum of $26.6 million, it marked a pivotal moment in General Manager Brian Burke’s attempt to keep his Stanley Cup-winning team intact in the salary cap era. The 22-year-old Getzlaf was in the final year of a three-year deal and would have become a restricted free agent this summer.

Getzlaf, who has 15 points in his last 10 games, was Anaheim’s first-round pick (19th overall) in the 2003 Entry Draft. Last season, he had 25 goals and 58 points in the regular season before leading the Ducks with 17 postseason points – fifth among all playoff scorers – as the team claimed its first-ever Stanley Cup. He leads the Ducks with 25 points so far this season.

“This is an important day for the franchise,” Burke said. “He’s the whole package.”

Read the rest here - Link

AKTSE went to a Ducks practice and took some great photos

See them all here - Link

New ticket packages are available

Celebrate the holidays with the Ducks this season. Bring out your office, family, friends or clients for a unique holiday or birthday party, department outing, or just a night out with the gang.  All groups of 20 or more receive special discounts or promotions such as our Puck Pack or Hat Trick Package below:

Puck Pack
Wednesday, December 12 vs. Vancouver, 7:05 pm

20 Terrace Main Tickets
20 Stanley Cup Commemorative Photo Pucks
20 Food Vouchers (regular hot dog and soda per seat)

$ 33.50 per person – minimum 20

Hat Trick Package
Wednesday, January 2 vs. Columbus, 7:05 pm
or
Tuesday, January 15 vs. Dallas, 7:05 pm

20 Terrace Main Tickets
20 Anaheim Ducks Hats
20 Food Vouchers (regular hot dog and soda per seat)

$ 35 per person – minimum 20

Original Info - Link

Anaheim Ducks News - Tuesday Night News Part 1

Today was another big news day with the resigning of Getzlaf for 5 more years and other personnel issues.  This post will cover Getzlaf's signing.

Official Ducks Announcement

The Ducks announced today that they have signed center Ryan Getzlaf to a five-year contract extension. The contract begins next season and runs through 2012-13. Per club policy, no financial terms of the deal were disclosed.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to sign Ryan to a long-term deal,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke. “He’s demonstrated great character and work ethic to complement his talent, a rare combination at such a young age.”

Read the rest here - Link

TSN Coverage with contract details

It is for a five-year term beyond this season and is worth in $26.625 million.

Getzlaf was excited to get the deal out of the way early so that he could concentrate solely on hockey.

The contract breaks down as follows:
2008/09 - $2 million signing bonus plus $2.5 million in salary ($4.5 million total)
2009/10 - $5.125 million
2010/11 - $5.125 million
2011/12 - $5.750 million
2012/13 - $6.125 million

Read the rest here - Link

LA Times Coverage

Averting a situation like the one they faced with Dustin Penner in the summer, the Ducks today signed Ryan Getzlaf to a five-year contract extension worth more than $26.6 million with the expectation that he will develop into the franchise's next great star.
The contract will kick in after this season and will pay Getzlaf an average of $5.325 million over the length of the deal. Getzlaf currently is tied for second on the Ducks with seven goals and leads the team with 21 points.

Read the rest here - Link

OC Register Coverage

The Ducks secured an important part of their future Tuesday after having learned a lesson from the past.

The club signed center Ryan Getzlaf to a five-year contract extension worth about $26.6 million. The move ensures that Getzlaf, 22, will be a Duck through the 2012-13 season.

"I'm thrilled," Getzlaf said. "This team showed me that they wanted me here as much as I wanted to be here. ... It was a situation where we both wanted to get a deal done early and get it out of the way."

Read the rest here - Link

MVN Coverage

When asked how happy he was, Getzlaf responed, “I’m thrilled! It was a situation I didn’t want to face this summer. This is the place that I want to play. I love being here. They gave me the opportunity to negotiate a contract early and it shows they wanted me here as much as I wanted to be here. It was a situation where we both wanted to get it done. We had the opportunity to do it this way and get it out of the way.”

Read the rest here - Link

AOL Fanhouse - Has a look at the signing

Brian Burke is a man of action, and avoided any potential Dustin Penner-like debacles by locking down Ryan Getzlaf, who was set to become a restricted free agent, to a hefty five-year contract extension worth $26.625 million US.

Read the rest here - Link

The Globe and Mail blog have a look at the signing

Getzlaf gets a significant raise – to an average of $5.3 million per season. The Ducks locked him up in order to prevent the sort of offer sheet that the Edmonton Oilers made for Dustin Penner last summer (Anaheim declined to match and took the three draft choices in compensation). By getting Getzlaf under contract, the Ducks also eliminated the opportunity for another team to poach their de facto No. 1 centre away – and they get him signed on their own terms, rather than someone else’s. It is an increasingly popular strategy by teams – their cross-town rivals did something similar with Dustin Brown last month, signing him for six years and $19 million – and it means that the Ducks will need to do some payroll managing next summer when Getzlaf’s new deal clicks in. Still, that’s better than the alternative – having somebody swoop in and try to steal him away with a $50 million Tomas-Vanek like contract offer.

The Ducks have always known the difference between the players that can make a difference in winning – and the ones that produce showy point totals, without actually contributing the way a core player needs to in order to justify his salary cost. The fact that Getzlaf is under contract for five more years after this one is just another step in the right direction for an organization that seems to know what it’s doing.

Read the rest here - Link

Anaheim Ducks News for Saturday and Sunday Pt. 2 - The rest of the story

I've got the latest update on Scott Niedermayer, rumors and a few other interesting items for you today.  Enjoy!

Scott gearing up to make a decision

Ducks General Manager Brian Burke said Scott Niedermayer hasn't given him a deadline on whether he'll indeed retire or return to the team in light of a report out of Canada that said the former team captain will decide on his playing future well before Christmas.
Burke said he spoke with Niedermayer before Saturday's game at Phoenix and said the defenseman remains indecisive. Niedermayer continues to be suspended by the team so that his $6.75-million annual salary won't count against the cap.

"I've heard about it," Burke said of the TSN website report. "I'm going to call him again over the next couple of days and see what he's thinking. He has not told me about any deadline. He told TSN about it."

Read the rest here - Link

A little more on Schneider's shootout thoughts

Defenseman Mathieu Schneider, asked by the L.A. Times what he thought when Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle put him in a shoot-out Thursday: "Don't fan on it. I thought he was kidding at first, to tell you the truth. Mike Babcock never had confidence in me. I showed him."

(Schneids, who scored the decisive shoot-out goal in a 2-1 win over Columbus, was joshing Babcock.)

Read the rest here - Link

AnaheimDucks.info has an update on Getzlaf and Scott Niedermayer rumors

The second rumor, FAR more likely in my eyes, is that Getzlaf is close to signing an extension with the Ducks. This would be smart by Burke, to lock Getzlaf up as soon as possible for three reasons:

Read the rest here - Link

Want to win  a Ducks road trip?  Welk resorts is giving one away - Link

Burke wants to mix more things up in the NHL

Brian Burke is trying to promote movement in the National Hockey League.

Three executives told Sun Media yesterday the Anaheim Ducks president/general manager has asked NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly to study a proposal that would allow teams to pick up a portion of a player's contract to help facilitate trades.

Read the rest here - Link

Anaheim Ducks News for Tuesday

Well the best Ducks news in a while announced today. Getzy, Nieds and Schnedier may all be ready for Thursday's game against Columbus. I hope this all comes to pass as we need the help. Any ways, here is the rest of the news.

Getzy, Nieds and Schneider may be back and some notes from the Oiler game

Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle offered a ray of hope amid a four-game losing streak.

After Sunday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Edmonton Oilers, Carlyle said that forwards Ryan Getzlaf and Rob Niedermayer along with defenseman Mathieu Schneider could be available for Thursday's home game against Columbus.

"I would suspect that the majority of them will be back at that time," Carlyle said. "That's a very strong possibility."

Getzlaf and Niedermayer both sat for the second consecutive game with Getzlaf nursing a wrist injury and Niedermayer sidelined by a groin strain. Both did take part in Saturday's practice at Anaheim Ice.

Schneider also practiced and the puck-moving defenseman's return could be a major boost to a team struggling mightily on the power play. The Ducks went scoreless in three chances Sunday and now rank 28th in the league at 10.7% (eight for 75).

Read the rest here - Link

MVN has a report from the Ducks visit to CHOC

The Ducks players were scheduled to make a Halloween visit to patients at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) this afternoon. In addition to spending time doing Halloween arts and crafts projects with the children, the playerswere also signing autographs, posing for pictures and talking with parents and siblings of the patients.

Read the rest here - Link

A new Ducks Weekly Report has been posted

A LOOK AHEAD: Following a two-day break, the Anaheim Ducks will return to Honda Center tomorrow to prepare for their Thursday night home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets…the Ducks will then face Pacific Division opponents in their next 10 consecutive games, six of which will be at Honda Center…Anaheim will play Los Angeles and Phoenix three times, and Dallas and San Jose twice from Nov. 3-25…the Ducks currently own a record of 1-3-0 in divisional play.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Members of the Ducks will visit patients at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) in Orange on Tuesday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in celebration of Halloween tomorrow…as part of the afternoon schedule, visiting players and staff will join children at the hospital in Halloween arts and crafts…in addition, players will be signing autographs, posing for pictures and talking with the parents and siblings of the patients…media members are invited to attend the event at CHOC, which is located at 455 S. Main St. in Orange.

Read the rest here - Link

Bobby Ryan gets profiled by NHL.com

Portland Pirates rookie right wing Bobby Ryan went a long way at the start of the season just to eventually take a few strides in reverse.

Ryan started with Anaheim, joining the Ducks for their pair of games in London to start the NHL season. He then returned to North America for contests in Detroit and Columbus. He stuck around for a trip to Pittsburgh, but once there was informed he was moving to the Pirates.

Ryan arrived in Portland on Oct. 6 and played that night, contributing an assist. Last week was his first AHL three-in-three stretch, with contests at Springfield, Worcester and Lowell.

Good thing he spent much of his summer working on leg strength.

“Your first (career) NHL game, you’ll go just about anywhere,’’ he said of the London trip. “It’s tough. You want to play at home, you want to get in a comfort level. I’ll get the chance to do it here.’’

Perhaps the wonder of Ryan’s start -- one goal, five assists in seven games -- is that he’s getting all his rest on an air mattress. That’s about the extent of his furnishings in the two-bedroom apartment he calls home in Portland.

That, and a 62-inch flat screen TV. Priorities, you know.

“I have an air mattress for now, but I have a bed coming next week,’’ he said. “It’s not that bad, but I have to make do. It doesn’t bother me. It’s better than living out of a hotel room and a suitcase.’’

Read the rest here - Link

Anaheim Ducks News for Friday and Saturday

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

Anaheim Ducks News for Thursday

Well its time for another round of news on our Anaheim Ducks.  I've got news on a possible trade, interviews with some of your Ducks and some other interesting news.

Trade Rumors abound via MVN

The past two Ducks games have seen numerous scouts in attendance. On Monday, there were scouts from seventeen different teams - Tampa Bay, Carolina, Vancouver, Chicago, Minnesota, Calgary, Columbus, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Boston, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Florida and Atlanta. The sudden surge in scouts came the day after Jean-Sebastien Giguere came off the injured reserve list and returned to his duties in goal.

On Wednesday night, the same scouts were there, with the exception of Calgary. Toronto and Dallas were also represented and Boston had a second scout in attendance. It has also been reported that there has been an unusual number of scouts at the Portland Pirates games as well.

Read the rest here - Link

A new episode of the Duck Cast featuring Drew Miller - Link

Video highlights of last nights game via TSN - Link

See a video with his new Easton Stealth S17 Hockey Stick - Link

Watch the intro and you get to see some photos of Getzy, then click Watch the Ellipse and Select Ryan.  It's a short little video where he shows off some of his talent.

Jim Rome interviews Pronger and a news reports about last night

A nice article on George Parros

There are moments, fleeting as they may be, that a fighter by trade treasures.
Winger George Parros, the Ducks' heavyweight enforcer, picked up a few extra shifts Wednesday night against Nashville and took full advantage.
It wasn't the usual suspects such as Ryan Getzlaf or Andy McDonald who set up the game-winning play in the 3-1 victory. It was Parros. And it didn't involve beating up anyone. He moved his 6-foot-5, 229-pound frame up ice as fast as he could and centered a pass to Petteri Wirtanen, who finished the play to score in his first NHL game.
"It's fun to be in the mix," Parros said Thursday. "You get a chance to get into the game. We realized we were going to get a couple more shifts and we knew something was coming."

Read the rest here - Link

The OC Register has a nice story on the checking line

They are referred to simply as the checking line or the shutdown line. Nothing flashier has stuck.

Usually when a line is as uniquely effective as the Ducks' trio of Rob Niedermayer, Samuel Pahlsson and Travis Moen, a nickname is in order. New Jersey had The Crash Line in the 1990s and Detroit had The Grind Line in the early 2000s.

They haven't been together long enough to join that noted list, but it's safe to call them the glue of the Ducks, whose turnaround from a 1-3-1 start has, not surprisingly, coincided with the return of the third line.

The Ducks have won three of their past four games with the Niedermayer-Pahlsson-Moen line intact, a stretch that has underlined the line's importance to the club.

While the top two lines have been mixed and matched because of injuries to Todd Marchant and Todd Bertuzzi and the absence of Teemu Selanne, the third line has again been the one constant.

Read the rest here - Link

Ross McKeon has a look at the Ducks to date

The season-opening road trip to London is in the rearview mirror. Championship rings have been awarded. The Stanley Cup banner was raised to the roof with all the appropriate pomp and circumstance afforded a first-time California champ.

Still uncertain are the status of two of the team's biggest stars – defenseman Scott Niedermayer and dynamic right wing Teemu Selanne. Both reside within a slapshot of the Honda Center, yet continue to ponder the temptation to retire on top. Those decisions could linger.

Rehabilitation from injuries and new bumps and bruises are an everyday problem, but general manager Brian Burke won't allow those to be excuses.

And no one is going to feel sorry for the Anaheim Ducks. They've got the big shiny trophy that everyone wants, and now they're a marked team.

"We've been patted on the back for 2½ to three months," coach Randy Carlyle said. "We had to get back to doing some of the things and recognizing that the process was much more difficult than the result."

Read the rest here - Link

Duck Fans and the Ducks do some good

Regina Tan, 8, rode on the Zamboni machine on the Honda Center ice Wednesday at the Ducks-Predators game.

Then she went back to her front-row seat, sporting a pink Ducks jersey signed by the whole team.

"The Duck gave me a jersey!" she cried to her mother, running down the aisles after the "The Duck," mascot Wild Wing, presented her with the signed memorabilia.

She also wore a black-and-red knit cap – hiding the bald patches on her head.

It was an extended and tenuous social net that prompted a Yorba Linda man to give his center-ice seats to Wednesday's game to Regina, a girl he never met or knew existed until a few weeks ago.

"She's a Ducks fan," said Don Seaman of Yorba Linda. "I've got five seats on the glass and I've got seats in Row 'B' as well. I said, 'Why don't I give the tickets to Regina? I'm going to pull a few strings.' This is just something very small I can do for her."

Seaman has been a Ducks season-ticket holder since the team's inception. After nearly 15 years of devotion to a hockey team, most people wouldn't give away their rinkside seats to a stranger.

Read the rest here - Link

Brian Burke gets a new role

FASTHockey, the Web's leading resource for amateur hockey content and player recruiting, today announced that longtime National Hockey League executive Brian Burke has joined its Strategic Advisory Board. In his role, Burke will assist the company in forging relationships that will extend FASTHockey's reach among governing bodies, leagues, teams and players.

Currently the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, Burke becomes the latest NHL figure to join the Advisory Board. He brings more than 30 years of experience in professional and elite amateur hockey to the FASTHockey advisory board.

"FASTHockey is filling a real need in the hockey community, creating a clearinghouse for amateur hockey content, as well as recruiting tools for players and coaches," said Burke. "I am excited to join the strategic advisory board because I believe that FASTHockey can dramatically improve the quality and fun of amateur hockey for players, coaches and fans around the world."

Read the rest here - Link

Win a Loft by attending Ducks games

Fans attending a regular season home game can enter for a chance to win a Stadium loft decorated by J.S Giguere
There are two ways to win:

• At the game: Find the “golden ticket” in the Ducks Digest.
• Visit Stadium Lofts on the corner of Katella/State College, take a tour and be entered. One fan from each game and one from the Stadium Lofts tour will be brought back on Fan Appreciation Night (April 6 vs. Phoenix) to take a shot from half ice to win the Stadium Loft decorated by J.S. Giguere.

Call 877- WILD WING for more information.

Anaheim Ducks News for Wednesday Non Game News

Here is the news that is not related to details of tonight's game. By the way, Pahlsson is back.

The Los Angeles Times has great coverage of Giguere's Beauchemin's, Kunitz's, Getzlaf's, Moen's, Pahlsson's, Selanne's and the Niedermayers days with the cup. They are called "Audio Galleries" - Link

An article on the banner raising, but more interestingly quote from Scott Niedermayer on his potential retirement

"Yeah, I'm in quite a different situation than I've ever been before," Scott Niedermayer said. "To be able to go there and be a part of putting that banner up to the ceiling, to be there to support everybody who was part of that, is a great moment. I knew it was going to be a big moment, going back to the rink, There will be some different feelings on my part, as to what the future holds.

"I'm going to have to make a decision sooner or later. I don't have a time frame. It's hard for me to judge 'soon' — within two weeks, or two months. I don't know exactly what 'soon' means. I hope the sooner the better, but there still could be some time here."

Red the rest here -Link

Ryan Carrter has gone back to Portland

Ryan Carter was sent down from the Anaheim Ducks to the Portland Pirates yesterday evening. This is to make room on the roster for Samuel Pahlsson who is coming off injured reserve. Carter has had a surreal life since last spring. He was called up to the Ducks during the playoffs and played four games for the Ducks, including one game in the Stanley Cup Finals. That earned him his name on the Cup and his own 24 hours with Stanley in the summer. Carter, along with the rest of the team, received his Stanley Cup ring on Monday evening.

Read the rest here - Link

Glass Seat Auction, get them for the Red Wings game here - Link

Earl from BOC has a look at the Ducks

After a road trip that can best be described as "predictably brutal", the Ducks finally raise their banners tonight in front of the home crowd--Scott and Teemu are supposed to be in attendance, so that should be an interesting ceremony, at least. I'm not going to overcriticize the team for the lackluster start, even though the last three cup-winners have all had excellent starts to their year: Tampa Bay took points in 14 of its first 16 games (11-2-3), Carolina earned points in 13 of 16 (12-3-1), and last year's Ducks got points in all 16 (12-0-4).

This year's Ducks have only taken points in 2 out of its first 5 games, but I'm staying optimistic. Here's some semi-random thoughts I've been mulling over:

1. Last year's Senators recovered from a brutal start to make the cup finals, so a rough start isn't insurmountable. Ottawa took points in only 7 of its first 16, but unlike the Ducks so far, the Senators' goal-differential was pretty promising. Just a side note on the Sens' top line: it took them less than 2 games this season to score as many goals and points as they got in all 5 games against the Ducks last spring. Just sayin'.

2. Fortunately, the rest of the Pacific Division has started slowly as well. The Ducks will have a games-in-hand issue as the season goes on, but I'm surprised nobody in the division has passed the Ducks in the standings yet. Last year, the Pacific produced three 107-point teams; so far this year nobody in the division sits above the .500 mark and every team is getting outscored.

Read the rest here - Link

Some coverage of the Ducks Stanley Cup event

Eight big floodlights started at 4 p.m., which didn't seem to make sense since the sun was still shining high above Honda Center.

But this was no ordinary evening at the hockey rink. The place was so decked out it looked like it was ready to play host to some Hollywood premiere and not the Ducks' home opener.

Fans stood three and sometimes four rows deep along the red carpet that stretched from the parking lot to the Southeast entrance of the arena. They waved towels, signs, jerseys and even stuffed teddy bears in a frantic attempt to catch the players' attention. Those stuck in the back waved their camera phones in the air trying to capture this historic moment

Jenn Pletcher and Stephanie Broyles, both from Long Beach, were some of the first to arrive, staking out a spot in front of the makeshift stage that was set up just outside of the glass doors leading into the Honda Center. That's where the defending Stanley Cup champions would stop for their TV interviews. Broyles and Pletcher said it felt like they had been there for five hours, but really it was more like 45 minutes.

An hour before the Ducks were scheduled to arrive, there were about 10 people waiting outside the arena, and Tammy Sides of Cypress was one of them.

Read the rest here - Link

Wednesday News - Part 1 - No London or Stanley Cup News in this section, wait for part 2

So what happens when the new NHL game comes out from EA?  Commercials!  So now we know one of the things Teemu did.... he stared in the following commercial with Henrik Zetterberg.  Also if you were ever wondering what stick Getzlaf uses, here is press release from Easton Sports with info.

Teemu costars in a commercial for NHL 08

Blast from the past Teemu commercial (in Finnish)

The Easton Press release on Getlaf's new stick

EASTON HOCKEY CREATES REVOLUTIONARY NEW STEALTH S17 STICK

Top of the Line Stick Emphasizes Energy, Velocity and Accuracy

VAN NUYS, Calif. - Easton Hockey, the designer and manufacturer of the No. 1 stick in the NHL, has introduced the StealthT S17 stick, the most technologically advanced stick on the market.  NHL superstars such as Ottawa right wing Dany Heatley, Minnesota right wing Marian Gaborik and Anaheim center Ryan Getzlaf are enjoying the stick's new technology right from the start. With the Stealth S17, Easton has produced an industry-first elliptical design, according to Ned Goldsmith, vice president of Easton Hockey.
        "There is no other stick like this in the world," said Goldsmith.  "As soon as you pick it up you can tell it is something special - not only because of the phenomenal balance, but because of the totally unique shape through the elliptical section.  We can hardly make them fast enough."
        Easton's Stealth S17 focuses on three main qualities vital to every hockey player: energy, velocity and accuracy. The compression molded process used in constructing the Stealth S17 delivers the most consistent shaft in hockey, maximizing the energy transfer from your hands to the blade and thereby providing a more powerful shot.  Meanwhile, the innovative TORXT technology features an Elliptical Profile (patent pending) to help transfer torque from your hands to the blade for unsurpassed velocity.  Easton's patented Micro-Bladder process and Multi-Rib structure controls blade flex through puck contact to ensure maximum accuracy.
        "If I could hit a one foot corner of the net on a one timer before, I can hit a 6" corner now," said Ottawa right wing Dany Heatley.  I've never been more accurate or shot harder.  I love it."
        The StealthT S17 will be introduced in five unique patterns (Sakic, Forsberg, Lidstrom, Iginla and Iginla Jr) in both grip and non-grip models.  All models will be available at retail stores beginning November, 2007.

Go to Easton Sports for more info - Link

Thursday News

Well, all is not happy in Ducks land. Coach Carlyle is questioning the passion of his players as they have not been performing up to par. I have some analysis of last nights game from AnaheimDuckFan, one preview of the team, a video of Ryan Getzlaf (brief) courtesy of Easton Sports and the Power Players pictures have been updated with the new members. The worst news is that Beauchemin is out with a sore groin.

Randy Carlyle speaks about his team - Link

The OC Register has a look at training camp and the fact the Beauchemin is out with a sore groin.

ANAHEIM — Given what had taken place the previous night at Honda Center, Thursday's events at Anaheim Ice were predictable.

Save for a brief respite for resurfacing of the rink, the Ducks spent two hours and 20 minutes on the ice, going through what Coach Randy Carlyle called a "regular" practice, a specialty-teams session and wrapping up with a demanding "conditioning skate."

Certainly such workdays aren't unheard of in training camp, but the connection to Wednesday night's lackluster 1-0, exhibition loss to the San Jose Sharks was not to be missed, either. Despite playing mostly regulars against a largely untested Sharks lineup, the Ducks generated only seven shots on goal through two periods and created precious few scoring opportunities.

All of this came only hours after Carlyle had asked for more passion from his club.

"My message is if I don't feel we're getting that necessary ingredient, we're going to have to skate more often," Carlyle said. "That's not a threat. That's the reality of it. I think it comes down to necessary mental sharpness, to prepare yourself to play to a higher level. It's our responsibility as coaches to find some catalyst to spark that."

The Ducks complete the exhibition season tonight at San Jose and Sunday against visiting Vancouver before opening the regular season Sept. 29 against the Kings in London.

"We weren't shooting the puck, driving the net and all the small things that our team is know for — battling, keeping the puck in the corners," left wing Chris Kunitz said. "I think we were a little off on timing.

"It's all work ethic."

Read the rest here - Link

MVN has a look at training camp as well

The Ducks took a break from training camp on Tuesday and returned to the practice ice today after a game against the San Jose Sharks that Coach Randy Carlyle said was lacking in passion. Carlyle was of the belief that if the guys were not doing the necessary things, then they would skate more often until they got it. His practice today was clearly a catalyst meant to spark a mental and physical discipline that he felt was lacking.

This was the first time the pared down roster practiced as one group. The defense was paired as follows: Chris Pronger and Sean O’Donnell, Aaron Rome and Joe DiPenta, Kent Huskins and Shane Hnidy, Brent Skinner and Maxim Kondratiev. Francois Beauchemin was missing from practice and reportedly has a sore groin suffered in the game against Vancouver. There is no time frame on his return at present.

Carlyle continued to try variations of his top two lines with Chris Kunitz and Andy McDonald skating with Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf skating with Bobby Ryan and Todd Bertuzzi. The desire is to have two solid scoring lines and they are still fiddling with what does and doesn’t work and with chemistry. Carlyle wishes the chemistry was instantaneous, but it doesn’t happen overnight. Todd Marchant seems destined to take Sami Pahlsson’s spot on the checking line between Travis Moen and Rob Niedermayer, based on last night’s game and today.

Read the rest here - Link

The OC Register has their take on the way the Ducks have been playing

Ducks coach Randy Carlyle spoke Wednesday morning about what he wanted to see from his team in its final three exhibition games, beginning with Wednesday night’s matchup against the San Jose Sharks at Honda Center. “Passion, grit and more overall responsibility” headed the list.

So what did Carlyle get in a 1-0 defeat, a game in which the Ducks skated pretty much the lineup they will go with in their regular-season opener Sept. 29 against the Kings in London, and the Sharks iced a mish-mash of veterans and rookies?

“I wouldn’t say I would be totally impressed with the passion that was displayed,” Carlyle said. Talk about an understatement.

“We tried at times, but we complicated things,” Carlyle said

Read the rest here - Link

The Miami Herald has picked up the Sports Network's preview of the Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim does have a few question marks heading into this season, as two big pieces of its championship squad mull over the possibility of retirement.

Scott Niedermayer, the Ducks captain since joining the team for the 2005-06 season, is still undecided about whether or not he wants to play this year. The 34-year-old defenseman would once again be considered one of the top blueliners in the league should he choose to return for another year.

The other player yet to make a final decision on his future is right wing Teemu Selanne. The 37-year-old Finn finally fulfilled a dream by winning his first Stanley Cup in 2007, and after posting 48 goals and 94 points during the regular season, it's obvious that he could still help the Ducks.

While Niedermayer is still under contract with the Ducks, Selanne is an unrestricted free agent. However, Selanne has stated that if he does decide to come back for another year it would only be to play for the Ducks.

Even if Niedermayer and Selanne decide to retire, the Ducks will still have defenseman Chris Pronger and goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, two of the best players in the league at their respective positions. In fact, Giguere figures to be in Anaheim's plans for the foreseeable future, as he signed a multi-year contract this offseason.

Hockey has never looked this good in Southern California, and the Ducks have the talent to become a perennial Cup contender.

Read the rest here - Link

AnaheimDuckFan has her thoughts on last nights game

I hate the games where no one scores until the very end of the 60 minutes. It makes for a very long, very boring game. I was all pumped up for this game against our rivals, the San Jose Sharks. Even though there was one fight (Mo & Semenov), it was still not the best game I’ve ever seen. The Ducks showed us the same shitty skills they showed us at the beginning of last season. What a let down after suchs an amazing end to last season.

Part of the problem with the game, was the lack of SOG by either team. The Ducks had just 19, and the Sharks had 21. In defense to the Ducks, a lot of pucks were being blocked, but there was also a lot of time spent in the neutral zone.

This loss gave the Ducks there third loss at home in the pre-season, with the only two wins coming from road games. I don’t really care about the pre-season losses, as long as the Ducks get their crap together before September 29th. Maybe these sub-standard games will show Teemu Selanne & Scott Niedermayer just how much we need them, or maybe I’m just hoping!

Also what was up with the new PA announcer. He sucked...please bring back Phil...we love him and its not the same without him!!!

Read the rest here - Link

Getzlaf has a photo shoot with the new Easton Stealth S17 hockey stick

Video of Dany Heatley of the Senators, Marian Gaborik of the Wild, Zach Parise of the Devils and Ryan Getzlaf had a photo shoot. You can see Getzy toward the end. Thanks to Easton Sports PR for the info

Pictures of the 2007-2008 Power Players have been posted. See their pictures and profiles here - Link

Stanley Cup Fun - Teemu, Kuni, Getzi and more!

Hello all! It's time for some fun. Lets travel around the globe from Regina to Finland to see where the Stanley Cup has been. I've found some great photos and video of Teemu with the cup. Also the Stanley Cup journal has been updated with Kuni and Getzi's day with cup. Also the Anaheim Ducks have updated their website to include a history of the Ducks. So sit back and click away!

A look into the history of the Anaheim Ducks. It contains info about jerseys, roster, career leasers, captains, coaches, draft picks, major announcements, game by game, year by year leaders, hat tricks and leaders - Link

Stanley Cup Journal Update with Kuni and Getzi - Link

Photo Links
Teemu with the cup via Flickr - Link 1 Link 2

Video

Kuni with the Cup



Selanne with the cup - 5 videos, thanks MrJones36

Even more Ryan Getzlaf day with the cup

Okay, have you had enough of Ryan Getzlaf? Well if not here is some video and a ton of pictures from his day with the Cup.

Flickr Photos - Link

You Tube videos

Evening News Roundup

Hello All,

Well some good news if you want to actually see the cup, some more on Getzy's day with the Cup, a fan cruise update and the Ducks are having an open call to those who want to be streat team members.

Randy Youngman on the Cups future visit to the U.S. Open of Surfing and a little bit on Getzy- Link (at the bottom)

Ducks Street Team application - Link

Ducks Fan Cruise summary and photos - Summary Link Photos Link

Ryan Getzlaf has his day with the cup

Well not much to report today. The Regina Leader Post has a couple of articles about Getzy's day with the cup.

Link

Link

Saturday News Roundup

Happy Saturday. Not much going on today except for some great scoring analysis by Earl at BOC and some Cup news.

Scoring since lockout analysis at BOC - Link

Kunitz and Getzlaf cup days are coming up! - Link