Today’s Draft Very Important

The Ducks apparently are taking today’s waiver draft very seriously as they attempt to shore up their lackluster defense in time for Saturday’s opener against the Washington Capitals.

The Ducks have the fifth overall pick behind Nashville, Tampa Bay, Florida and Vancouver.

Lucien DeBlois, the Ducks’ chief pro scout, attended the Florida Panthers’ last three exhibition games, keeping a close eye on defensemen Terry Carkner and Jeff Norton. Both players were left unprotected.

Either could prove to be a valuable addition for the Ducks, who gave up the third-most goals in the NHL last season (261).

They also wouldn’t boost the Ducks’ payroll significantly. Carkner has two years left on a contract that will pay him $1.5 million this season and $2.1 million in 1999-2000. Norton has one year left on his deal, which pays him $1.5 million.

But the Ducks haven’t focused solely on the Panthers. David McNab, assistant general manager, scouted the Edmonton Oilers for several games recently and Jack Ferreira, director of hockey operations, watched the Pittsburgh Penguins for three games.

The Ducks struck out in their attempts to sign a high-profile free agent last summer. They did land Fredrik Olausson from the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he’s viewed as a power-play specialist. What the Ducks need now is an experienced, defensive-minded defenseman.

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Coach Craig Hartsburg defended his beleaguered defensive corps.

“I’m not disappointed in any of them,” he said. “They’re learning a new system that maybe they didn’t play last year. I see Jason Marshall and Kevin Haller as the two we really trust. We’re going to start playing them as a tandem and, hopefully, use them against another team’s best players.”