He Won’t Grow Old on Bench

Scott Young, acquired this week in a trade with Colorado, has a simple explanation for his lack of production last season with the Avalanche: reduced playing time.

“I wasn’t prepared to be in that role,” said Young, who had 21 goals and 60 points in Colorado’s Stanley Cup-winning 1995-96 season but only 18 goals and 37 points last season.

“Maybe there’s a point where you’re willing to accept a lesser role, but it’s not right now for me,” he said. “I talked briefly to [Coach] Pierre Page and he said I would be counted on here to play a bigger role than in Colorado.”

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Defenseman Bobby Dollas, one of three remaining original Ducks, makes his exhibition debut tonight against the Edmonton Oilers at 7:30 at the Pond. Dollas was given the first three games off while the coaching staff watched several young defensemen, including 1996 top draft pick Ruslan Salei.