Team Gets Boost From Former King

Kevin Todd has gone from the slag heap to a prominent spot on the Duck roster. Claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh on Oct. 4, Todd has given the Ducks’ punchless offense a boost while playing on the top line with Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne.

Todd signed a two-year deal with Pittsburgh last summer but was placed on waivers when the Penguins acquired veteran defenseman Craig Muni.

Now, Todd is the Ducks’ second-leading scorer with four goals and a team-leading eight assists.

“It all depends on a team’s depth chart,” Duck Coach Ron Wilson said of Todd’s role. “He started last year with the Kings playing on the fourth line with Pat Conacher and Eric Lacroix. At the end, he was with Jari Kurri and Kevin Stevens.

“So, he’s capable of bigger things.”

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Wilson on scoreless center Steve Rucchin, who will be scratched tonight for the third consecutive game: “Steve played in 12 games and struggled in a lot of them. He knows that. It’s not a punishment for Steve but a reward for other guys who have been playing well.”