Ducks Loan Carnback to German League Team

The Mighty Ducks on Tuesday loaned seldom-used forward Patrik Carnback to the Cologne Sharks of the German Elite League for the rest of the season.

They get nothing in return, but it clears the way for a possible move to bolster their sagging offense. The Ducks are 11th in the Western Conference standings, six points behind the Kings, who hold the eighth and final playoff spot. The Ducks are averaging fewer than three goals per game.

Carnback scored six goals and had 12 assists in 34 games this season, falling out of favor with Coach Ron Wilson because of inconsistent play. Carnback, of Sweden, said he is eager to play in Germany.

“I’m happy to be getting out,” Carnback said. “I knew Ron didn’t like me at all. I guess he’s not a fan of European players. He hadn’t talked to me all year. I’m happy getting out of his face. I’m happy to get a new opportunity. I hope it works out.”

Early in the season, Wilson briefly teamed Carnback on a line with top scorer Paul Kariya and grinder Shaun Van Allen, and they worked well together.

But soon enough, Wilson broke up the line and with the return of more productive forwards Van Allen and Steve Rucchin from injury, Carnback’s playing time was reduced. He was a healthy scratch in the Ducks’ 5-4 loss to the Kings Saturday.

“I knew he didn’t have any confidence in me at all,” said Carnback, who was in the final year of a contract that would pay him $300,000 this season.

“It has something to do with consistency,” Wilson said of the move. “You saw flashes. We’d prefer to have one of the younger guys come up from Baltimore [of the AHL] eventually. Someone like J.F. Jomphe or Jim Campbell [to take the fifth centerman’s spot].

“I didn’t expect more from Patrik. I almost expected this would happen.”

Carnback was involved in the first trade in team history, coming from Montreal along with enforcer Todd Ewen in exchange for a third-round draft pick Aug. 10, 1993.

Carnback scored 24 goals and had 38 assists in 148 games for the Ducks.