Anaheim Ducks News for Wednesday

Well I've got another Teemu Selanne retirement update and a few other news items featuring Chris Pronger, Jonas Hiller and more!

Teemu Selanne Retirement Update and a little on Drew Miller

Teemu Selanne doesn't have a decision yet, but at least he has a timetable.

"I'll take this week, and next week and we'll see how it goes," Selanne said after a 90-minute workout Tuesday morning at Anaheim Ice.

It's the most specific time frame Selanne has offered for a decision on ending his unofficial retirement. The Ducks' all-time leading scorer began a skating program earlier this month and said he would have a decision sometime in January. The team has not pressed him to make a decision.

Read the rest here - Link

Varius has some reasons for Teemu to play

It can be said that Teemu Selanne, also known to many fans as “The Finnish Flash”, was on his way downhill after landing with the San Jose Sharks and then Colorado Avalanche. He failed to win a Cup in Denver with best-buddy Paul Kariya. He seemed to be done for. However, Ducks’GM Brian Burke decided to take a chance on him. Selanne did have knee surgery and a lot of time to rest during the lockout. Selanne also had some of his best years in Anaheim, so Burke took a gamble that paid off greatly. For just 1 million, he bought himself a 40-goal scorer as Teemu found himself a new man.

Read the rest here - Link

Pronger is going to savor the all-stars

”As a defenseman, you really just have to enjoy yourself at the All-Star Game since it’s obviously a show for the offensive stars in the League,’’ Pronger told NHL.com. “The games played over the past few seasons have been pretty high-scoring affairs and we defensemen get hit in waves. I still feel there comes a point in the game when the competitive juices start to flow for us (defensemen), and we begin to play at a higher level. You certainly want to put on a good show, but at the same time you don’t want to get hurt.’’

Read the rest here- Link

A nice profile/interview of Hiller

"For people who aren't close to the team," he says, "they probably think I sit on the bench all the time and do nothing."

Hiller is the Ducks' backup goalie, No. 2 at a position that accommodates only one. His team played 60 minutes Tuesday against Dallas and Hiller, predictably, played none of them.

He did skate in warmups, faced some shots from his teammates and even extensively stretched his groin muscles.

Then he retreated to the locker room, put on a baseball cap and later assumed his usual spot, near a collection of water bottles and the wooden bin that holds the rest of the Ducks' sticks.

Read the rest here - Link

Ducks vs. Predators Preview

The Anaheim Ducks have been a much improved team with Scott Niedermayer in their lineup. Most of that success, however, has come at home.

The surging Ducks play 12 of their next 13 games on the road, a difficult stretch that begins Thursday night against the Nashville Predators.

A career high-tying three points from Niedermayer and another strong performance by goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere helped the Ducks (25-17-6) to their fourth straight win, 4-2 over visiting Dallas on Tuesday.

Read the rest here - Link

MVN Update on a lot of things

The Ducks headed out of town this morning with a four game winning streak, second place in the Pacific Division (one point behind San Jose) and fourth place in the Western Conference.  The Ducks have put together two previous four game winning streaks this season - November 9 - 17 and December 18 - 27.

The Ducks will try to put together their first five game winning streak in Nashville on Thursday.  They also visit Minnesota on Friday and Dallas on Sunday before heading home.

Read the rest here - Link

Casino Night is coming.....

“Casino Night is always such a fun and fantastic event with a great new theme every year,” said Ducks owner, Susan Samueli.  “What remains constant, however, is our commitment to raising funds for Orangewood Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit that positively impacts the lives of foster youth in Orange County.  We are proud to partner with Orangewood and support this important cause.”

Partygoers will have the chance to place bids on a variety of silent auction items and enter in opportunity drawings throughout the evening.  Silent auction and opportunity drawing items include tropical/mountain vacations, Ducks tickets and autographed merchandise and jewelry.  Admission to the Cotton Club VIP Lounge was $500 each and general admission tickets were $100 each.  For more information, please visit http://casinonight.p11.com/.

Read the rest here - Link

Scottie for the Hart Trophy?

There's not supposed to be any room for part-timers, at least not when it comes to considering candidates for major individual trophies.

Good thing, too, 'cause if they were awarding the Hart Trophy for league MVP honors solely on the basis of impact, without consideration to the number of games individuals have played, it would be a runaway race between two contestants.

Read the rest here - Link

Weekend Quick Links....

So I did not get much time to post this weekend, so here are just the links so you can get your Ducks news fix.

Game Coverage

Ducks coverage of the loss to the Predators - Link

Scoresheet
Super Stats
Video Highlights -  700K

Boxscore
Faceoffs
Play-by-Play

Shift Chart
Rosters
TOI - ANA|NSH

Photo of the game - Link

MVN Coverage - Link

LA Times coverage - Link

OC Register Coverage - Link

Miscellaneous News

Five Questions with Andy McDonald - Link

Trade rumors via LA Times - Link

Coverage on Niedermayer's return - Link

One more article on Niedermayer - Link

A closer look on Hiller's mask via Allducks.com - Video Link  and Photos

Anaheim Ducks News - Thanksgiving Catch Up Post Part 2

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

Anaheim Ducks News for Sunday

To see last nights game coverage, go here.  Only one news item today.  I also would like to congratulate Bryzgalov's first victory with the Yotes and to make it sweater, it was a shutout win.

LA Times coverage of Hiller and Bryz

A three-week stay in Portland, Maine, wasn't what Jonas Hiller hoped for when he signed with the Ducks in May, but the reason he left his native Switzerland has come to fruition now that the club waived goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.
Hiller is officially the No. 2 goalie who'll spell Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Now it's up to him to confirm the club's belief that he will be a capable backup on the NHL level.

"That's what I was looking for when I came over," Hiller said. "I wanted the No. 2 job. But it's not like it's a job I have for sure. I have to show up every day and prove myself, get better. That's what I'm going to do and I'm going to work on that every day."
Hiller, 25, made the team out of training camp and won his first NHL start Sept. 30 in the Ducks' 4-1 win over the Kings in London while Giguere recovered from off-season sports hernia surgery. He remained with the team until Oct. 23, when he was assigned to Portland.

Read the rest here - Link

Anaheim Ducks News for Thursday

Well it was quite a busy day for the staff of the Ducks.  We have a trade, a recall to cover for when a trade takes place and an injury.

Dux in Tux photos have been posted - Link

Schneider is day to day

Mathieu Schneider is now listed as day-to-day with a sore hip. He did not practice yesterday and will not be in the lineup as the Ducks take on the Kings at the Staples Center tonight.

Read the original post here - Link

Hiller recalled - Bye Bye Bryz?

With all of the action going on Thursday with Aaron Rome and Clay Wilson being dealt to Columbus for Geoff Platt, it was overlooked that Jonas Hiller was recalled to the Anaheim Ducks.

In six games, he was 3-2-1 with a 2.11 GAA and a .929 save percentage.

Read the rest here - Link

AnaheimDucks.info has some thoughts on what may happen to Bryz

Toronto and Tampa Bay have been rumored, but unless they can get rid of one of their own overpriced goaltenders simultaneously, picking up Bryzgalov may not be likely.

Read the rest here - Link

Fox Sports have their thoughts on Bryz

Ilya Bryzgalov, Anaheim Ducks: GM Brian Burke signaled his intent to shop Bryzgalov during the summer but isn't likely to move him until starter Jean-Sebastien Giguere is fully back in game shape following off-season sports hernia surgery.

Like Hossa and Ryder, Bryzgalov will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, but unlike those two he's carrying a very affordable $1.363 million salary for this season, making him very attractive to teams seeking a goaltending upgrade.

Tampa Bay, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh are rumored to be interested in Bryzgalov and barring injury to Giguere he could be on the move in the coming weeks.

Read the article here - Link

MVN has a great look at the Rome and Wilson trade for Platt and St. Jacques

The Anaheim Ducks acquired center Geoff Platt from the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Aaron Rome and left wing Clay Wilson. The Ducks also reacquired the rights to defenseman Bruno St. Jacques in the deal. This seems to be purely a minor league deal.

Platt, 22 (7/10/85), has appeared in 15 contests this season for the Syracuse Crunch, Columbus’ primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL), collecting 4-3=7 points with six penalty minutes (PIM). The Toronto, Ontario native has also appeared in 41 NHL contests with Columbus, earning 4-10=14 points with 26 PIM during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. In three seasons with Syracuse, Platt has amassed 63-58=121 points with 124 PIM in 134 career AHL contests. In 2006-07, he led the club in goals and finished third in points (28-21=49). In addition, Platt appeared in six Calder Cup Playoff contests for Syracuse in 2005-06, earning 3-0=3 points.

Read the rest here - Link

Other Ducks News

Here is the rest of the days news.

An article on Drew Miller from the LA Times

Upon being sent to the Ducks' minor-league affiliate at Portland, Maine, in the final days of training camp, rookie Drew Miller was told by team officials to find a place to live.
The young winger didn't spend much time in his rented home. Two weeks later, Miller was packing his bags again, this time joining the Ducks in Pittsburgh.

Not that he's complaining about being on the move.
"If it means I can stay, I don't mind," the 23-year-old said after Tuesday's practice at Scottrade Center. "What every player wants is to be told to get a place. But I'm not too worried about that right now. I'm just happy to be here. I don't mind staying in a hotel."
Because of injuries at forward, Miller was recalled Oct. 6 after failing to win a roster spot out of training camp. He has one point in four games but that point was his first NHL goal in a 3-1 victory over Nashville last week.
Miller established himself as an all-around player in three seasons at Michigan State, where nine other members of his family played hockey, including older brother, Ryan, of the Buffalo Sabres.

Read the rest here - Link

Jonas Hiller sent to the AHL via AnaheimDucks.com

The Ducks announced on Tuesday that they have assigned goaltender Jonas Hiller to the Portland Pirates, Anaheim’s primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Hiller, 25 (2/12/82), has appeared in two games for Anaheim this season, posting a 1-1-0 record with a 3.03 goals-against average (GAA) and .885 save percentage (SV%). He secured his first NHL win in his NHL debut, stopping 22-of-23 shots in Anaheim’s 4-1 victory over Los Angeles on Sept. 30 in London, England (NHL Premiere). 

Signed as a free agent on May 25, 2007, the 6-2, 196-pound goaltender spent the 2006-07 season with Davos of the Swiss National League. The Felben Wellhausen, Switzerland native posted a 28-16-0 record in 44 appearances with a 2.60 GAA.  In addition, he helped Davos to both Swiss National League and Spengler Cup championships, while also being voted Best Goalie in the Swiss League.  In 141 career Swiss National League appearances, Hiller owned an 80-52-10 record with 16 shutouts and a 2.53 GAA.

Ducks Weekly Report has been posted

THE ROAD HOME: Following tonight’s game in St. Louis, the Anaheim Ducks will return to Orange County for a three-game homestand that begins Thursday, Oct. 25 against the Phoenix Coyotes (7:05 p.m.).  The homestand also features visits by the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, Oct. 28 (5:05 p.m.) and Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, Nov. 1 (7:05 p.m.).

RANKED: Among National Hockey League leaders, center Ryan Getzlaf is currently tied for 14th in points scored (10) and left wing Chris Kunitz is tied for third in power play goals (3)...defenseman Chris Pronger is tied for second in power play assists (5) and tied for fourth in scoring among NHL defensemen (7).

SUNDAY’S SPECIAL NIGHT: The Anaheim Ducks will join all NHL 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. In honor of bringing a heightened awareness to cancer, Ducks executive management members, 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 their helmets post-game and will be auctioned online at anaheimducks.com, with proceeds benefiting the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
As a part of Sunday’s game, a special member of the Anaheim Ducks/Honda Center family will be honored as a community hero during Sunday’s game.  Mike O’Donnell, who served as Honda Center’s Senior Vice President and General Manger and spent 14 years with the arena, will be recognized and remembered. After a three year battle with cancer, O’Donnell passed away in August, 2007.  A booth will be located on the main concourse level for donations to the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, where O’Donnell received his care.  Representatives from the Norris Center will also be interviewed during the game on the Ducks radio broadcast, raising awareness for cancer research.

Read the rest here - Link