DUCKS HOPE CHANGES BRING WINS.Byline: Brice Nixon Staff Writer ANAHEIM - It is billed as the start of a new decade in Anaheim, and although the Mighty Ducks
Mighty Ducks is a half-hour Disney animated series aired on ABC and The Disney Afternoon in the fall of 1996. Twenty-six episodes total were produced. have yet to complete their first decade, the 2002-03 season looks like the start of a new era. For the past nine seasons, the Ducks have been mostly a study in futility, having made the playoffs only twice and missing the postseason the past three seasons. In a tough Western Conference and an even tougher Pacific Division, there's no guarantee that will change this season, but the Ducks have made it clear they're making every effort to bring about change. The Stanley Cup-champion Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. had an NHL-best 116 points last season, but after that the race in the Western Conference was tight, with nine teams separated by just nine points. The Ducks (69 points) were the only team in the Pacific Division with fewer than 90 points. An influx of new faces means the Ducks will have a different look, but the real question is whether that will translate into more victories. The Ducks made significant changes in the offseason, but the jump they have to make from the bottom of the league to the playoffs is even more significant. The Angels, Anaheim's other Disney-owned sports franchise, made a similar breakthrough this season, which should provide the Ducks with some inspiration. ``It is an example for us that you can turn things around,'' Ducks general manager Bryan Murray Bryan Murray can refer to:
The first step for the Ducks was to create a new attitude. They did that by hiring a young, energetic coach, like the Angels did with manager Mike Scioscia Murray, the Ducks' coach when they went 29-42-8-3 last season, was moved to general manager and senior vice president, and he already has shown his savvy and willingness to make significant moves. His first was to bring in 39-year-old Mike Babcock Mike Babcock (born April 29, 1963 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada [1]) is a Canadian hockey head coach and former player. From 2002 to 2005 he was the head coach of the NHL's Anaheim Mighty Ducks, leading the Ducks to their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals as head coach. Babcock is one of five coaches making his NHL NHL Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, see there debut. He spent the past two seasons as coach of the Ducks' American Hockey League
Babcock has spent the past month trying to mold the Ducks into an up-tempo, hard-working team. At times in the exhibition the Ducks have looked like just that, but there have been plenty of times when they have looked like the Ducks of old. One way in which this team is different from past teams is depth. There was considerable competition in training camp, something captain Paul Kariya Paul Tetsuhiko Kariya (born October 16, 1974 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), is a professional ice hockey player who plays for the St. Louis Blues. Personal life said has been missing in past years. Murray brought in several big names when he signed Adam Oates Adam Oates (born August 27, 1962 in Weston, Ontario) is a retired professional ice hockey player. Playing career Oates initially did not have much hope of an NHL career, until Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offered him a scholarship. and Fredrik Olausson Fredrik Olausson (born October 5, 1966, in Dädesjö, Sweden) is a retired Swedish ice hockey player. Playing career Olausson is a retired defenseman who played with certainty and calmness, and was known for a good feel for the game. to one-year deals and traded for Petr Sykora, all of whom should help upgrade a Ducks offense that was a dismal 29th in scoring. Several of the Ducks' younger players, question marks when the team opened training camp in September, have emerged as likely contributors, displacing veterans Jason York Jason York (Born May 20, 1970, in Nepean, Ontario, Canada), is a professional ice hockey player in the NHL. He is currently an unrestricted free agent, playing last season (2006) with the Boston Bruins. and German Titov. The Ducks also should have two solid scoring lines for a change. Oates, who led the NHL in assists last season, and Kariya are paired on the first line, and Steve Rucchin Steve Rucchin (born July 4, 1971 Thunder Bay, Ontario) is a centre who currently plays for the Atlanta Thrashers of the National Hockey League. Rucchin played high school hockey for Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School in London, Ontario. and Sykora are set on the second line. Babcock has said the third forward on each line will change based on matchups. Mike Leclerc, Andy McDonald and Sykora all have played on the first and second line. Rookies Stanislav Chistov and Alexei Smirnov are pushing for a spot on the second line, although they're also fighting for playing time. The story is similar on defense, where rookie Kurt Sauer has been the biggest surprise. He wasn't expected to make the team, but in the exhibition season he has been one of the team's most solid defensemen and is paired with veteran Keith Carney. FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE DUCKS TEAM MVP (Multimedia Video Processor) A high-speed DSP chip from Texas Instruments, introduced in 1994. Officially introduced as the TMS320C80, it combines RISC technology with the functionality of four DSPs on one chip. Paul Kariya: Kariya had his worst season last year, but it is still his team. He is a big reason the Mighty Ducks were able to add the NHL's top assist man, Adam Oates, in the offseason. Kariya had 32 goals and 25 assists last season and couldn't wait to get back in action, especially with the thought of playing with ``the best playmaker play·mak·er n. A player in a sport with goals, such as a guard in basketball, who initiates offensive plays. play after Wayne Gretzky,'' in his words. Kariya is on top of his game and should be back among the league scoring leaders. UP AND COMER Andy McDonald: McDonald made an impression after a late call-up last season, finishing among rookie scoring leaders, and now he looks ready to establish himself as the Ducks' next star. In his second year, the 25-year-old McDonald bulked up in the offseason and has shown the type of energy first-year coach Mike Babcock wants from his team. McDonald has been moved to the wing and it is unclear on what line he will play. If he continues to improve and play as he has in the exhibition season, he should solidify his role on the team. GAMES NOT TO MISS The Ducks start the season with tough tests from some of the best in the Western Conference, with the season opener at St. Louis on Thursday and Dallas on Friday, and their home opener Sunday against the Stanley Cup-champion Detroit Red Wings. The Ducks play the Kings five times (Oct. 16, Nov. 29 and Jan. 22 at home; Dec. 19 and March 4 at Staples Center). Former Ducks player Teemu Selanne and the San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). play at the Pond on Nov. 3 and March 26. BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT Depth: The Ducks added a lot of skill to their lineup. The biggest problem could be finding playing time for the younger players, who need it to continue to improve. The good news for the Ducks is they've earned it, and the combination of skilled youngsters and solid veterans gives the Ducks a solid lineup from top to bottom. STILL NEEDS IMPROVEMENT Scoring: This is the area in which the Ducks need to make the biggest improvement, and it could happen this season. The Ducks added a lot of firepower in the offseason, creating the possibility for a high-powered offense. Oates could be the driving force behind that if he and Kariya work well together and if he can help create more chances on the power play. Petr Sykora, acquired from the New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Devils have won the Stanley Cup three times, in 1995, 2000, and 2003. , can be a big goal scorer. A breakout season from McDonald and solid contributions from talented rookies Stanislav Chistov or Alexei Smirnov would mean a much-improved offense. CAPTION(S): 2 boxes Box: (1) FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE DUCKS (see text) (2) DUCKS SCHEDULE |
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