Wilson, Ducks Have Last Word By Sending Krygier to Capitals

Todd Krygier, the Mighty Duck player who clashed with Coach Ron Wilson two months ago, was traded to the Washington Capitals Friday for minor league goaltender Mike Torchia.

Krygier’s expletive-laced argument with Wilson during the morning skate Jan. 11 was only part of the reason he was sent packing, and General Manager Jack Ferreira downplayed it, saying production was the issue. Once the Ducks’ second-leading scorer, Krygier had gone 20 games without a goal and had only four assists in 18 games since the incident, when he reacted angrily after Wilson told him he wouldn’t play against Chicago that night.

Krygier, 30, was also in the first year of a three-year contract that will pay him $500,000 next season. With nine goals and 37 points and a plus-minus rating of minus-9, he wasn’t worth that to the Ducks.

“Personally, I don’t have any bitterness or anger,” Krygier said. “I was upset with situations, but I was always grateful to Jack and Ron. Coming here gave me an opportunity to play, and I think playing here made me a lot better player.”

Krygier is returning to Washington, the team he came from little more than a year ago for a fourth-round draft pick. In exchange, the Ducks get Torchia, a 5-foot-11, 225-pound goalie who has played for four minor league teams this season and will join the Ducks’ minor league affiliate in Baltimore.