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Camp opens: Sept. 13
Camp site: Disney Ice (Anaheim, Calif.)
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No team has done more this offseason to create a positive change in attitude than the Mighty Ducks. In acquiring Adam Oates and Petr Sykora, general manager Bryan Murray has not only invigorated his fans, he has brought back to life one of the best players in the league.
The difference between Paul Kariya at the Olympics (flying) and Paul Kariya in Anaheim (dying) was a painful contrast last season. Kariya finished a dismal campaign in which he had 57 points, was a minus-15 and was looking like a man who might soon seek a trade. Now, the 28-year-old left winger appears ready to re-join the ranks of league leaders and help the Ducks return to the ranks of playoff contenders.
New man in town: For all the player acquisitions, the most important change might be Mike Babcock taking over as head coach. The 39-year-old, who coached Cincinnati in the American Hockey League and was the bench boss for Canada's World Junior Championship gold-medal team in 1997, is a driver who should allow the offensive players a little space to breathe. That said, the former coach is now the GM and Murray's influence will be all over this team even after his move upstairs. Expect players to be required to be defensively responsible and expect the defense to better than average.
New kid in town: Ranked No. 1 in the world among NHL prospects by McKeen's Hockey, winger Stanislav Chistov is ready to make the Ducks at age 19. If the skilled Russian can do what everyone thinks he can, Anaheim might not only have a second scoring line, but a third, as well. With Chistov, Mike LeClerc, Steve Rucchin, and Andy McDonald battling for forward spots, the Ducks could definitely improve on an offense that produced only 2.13 goals per game. Also watch out for rookie forward Alexei Smirnov at camp. He's a bit of a long shot, but a big powerful winger.
Alone at the wheel: Jean-Sebastein Giguere definitely earned his status as No. 1 goalie last season, posting a 2.13 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage. However, by shipping Steve Shields to Boston in the offseason, Murray solved a problem, but also took away any competition -- and any safety net -- in the goaltending department. Jean-Francois Damphousse is 23 and Ilja Bryzgalov is 22. That's what you call a core of unproven goaltenders.
Preseason schedule
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DATE
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OPPONENT
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TIME (ET)
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Fri., Sept. 20
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Minnesota
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10:30 p.m.
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Sat., Sept. 21
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at Phoenix
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10 p.m.
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Sun., Sept. 22
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vs. Los Angeles at Bakersfield, Calif. (Centennial Garden)
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8 p.m.
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Fri. Sept. 27
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San Jose
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10:30 p.m.
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Sun., Sept. 29
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Los Angeles
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8 p.m.
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Tue. Oct. 1
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at Minnesota
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8 p.m.
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Fri., Oct. 4
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Phoenix
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10:30 p.m.
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Sat., Oct. 5
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at San Jose
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10:30 p.m.
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