Defense loses a key player
The Ducks’ Scott Niedermayer, who has been nursing a stress fracture in his right foot, probably will be forced to sit out Sunday’s game against Dallas, it was learned Friday. The former Norris Trophy winner has not missed a game since signing with the Ducks in August 2005.
The news comes just as defenseman Francois Beauchemin was set to return to the lineup Sunday after sitting out 11 games because of a lacerated spleen.
The Ducks also are likely to get Chris Pronger back Sunday. Pronger, another former Norris Trophy winner, fractured his left foot in a game against Minnesota Dec. 31 and has not played since. However, he successfully completed another full workout with the team Friday.
But Niedermayer’s status is now doubtful. After seeing a foot specialist, the Ducks’ captain said Friday it may take “another week or so,” which would make him questionable for Wednesday’s game against Phoenix as well.
“We don’t really have an exact timetable on how this thing might work out,” said Niedermayer, who sat out the All-Star game to give his foot time to heal. “I’m under the impression that it’s not going to be too long.”
Niedermayer, who leads all NHL defensemen with 44 points, said he doesn’t regret playing on the fracture, which he suffered in a game against Colorado two weeks ago.
“It’s not like I’m getting shot up [with painkillers] and that whole thing,” he said. “It’s sore. But it’s not the worst pain I’ve felt. I’m not that tough.”
Coach Randy Carlyle said there was some consideration to rest his star for a longer time.
“There’s always that thought,” Carlyle said. “Maybe Wednesday won’t be enough.”
Niedermayer injected some humor into his situation. When asked if there is anything that he can do to strengthen his foot, he said, “Just drink some milk.”
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The Ducks dealt away some depth in their organization to address a need at forward by trading winger Curtis Glencross, center Zenon Konopka and a conditional seventh-round draft pick to Columbus for center Mark Hartigan, winger Joe Motzko and a 2007 fourth-round pick.
Hartigan, who split time with the Blue Jackets and their minor-league team in Syracuse, will report today. He has 26 points in 73 NHL games. The Ducks and Predators also swapped minor-league forwards, with Anaheim getting center Shane Endicott in exchange for left wing Chris Durno.
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