Mighty Ducks at a Glance

1997-98 record: 26-43-13

Last season: sixth in Pacific Division

Who’s new: Center Johan Davidsson (draft), left wing Stu Grimson (trade), Kevin Haller (trade), left wing Jim McKenzie (trade), defenseman Fredrik Olausson (free agent), goaltender Dominic Roussel (trade), defenseman Pascal Trepanier (waiver draft).

Who’s gone: Left wing Shawn Antoski (not re-signed), defenseman Drew Bannister (not re-signed), right wing J.F. Jomphe (trade), defenseman David Karpa (trade), center Espen Knutsen (not re-signed), center Richard Park (not re-signed), right wing Brent Severyn (not re-signed), goaltender Mikhail Shtalenkov (expansion draft).

Projected lines: First line: left wing Paul Kariya (17 goals, 31 points), center Steve Rucchin (17, 53), right wing Teemu Selanne (52, 86); Second line: left wing Ted Drury (6, 16), center Travis Green (19, 42), right wing Tomas Sandstrom (9, 17); Third line: left wing Johan Davidsson (10, 40 in Finland), center Matt Cullen (6, 27), right wing Jeff Nielsen (4, 9); Fourth line: left wing Jim McKenzie (3, 7), center Josef Marha (9, 18), right wing Stu Grimson (3, 7).

Projected defensive pairings: Kevin Haller (3 goals, 8 points)-Jason Marshall (3, 9); Fredrik Olausson (6, 33)-Doug Houda (2, 6); Pascal Trepanier (0, 1)-Ruslan Salei (5, 15).

Goaltenders: Guy Hebert (13-24-6, 2.93 goals-against average), Jamie Ram (17-18-5, 2.91 with Kentucky of the AHL), Dominic Roussel (25-12-1, 2.24 with Canadian national team).

Key to season: There’s really only one. The health of Hebert, Kariya and Selanne is crucial if the Ducks are to surprise everyone by making a run at the playoffs. Hebert is coming off season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. Kariya is coming off post-concussion syndrome. Selanne sat out several games because of various nagging injuries.

Outlook: Hopeless. Barring a major trade to strengthen their defense, the Ducks don’t figure to match up well with anyone in the Pacific Division. Dallas, the Kings, Phoenix and San Jose are deeper, more physical, play better defense, have better goaltending and probably will all make the playoffs. The Ducks finished ahead of only Vancouver in the Western Conference standings last season. They won’t drop to the bottom of the conference this season because the expansion Nashville Predators have joined the NHL.

MIGHTY DUCK ROSTER

CENTERS

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No. Name Yrs Size 10 Josef Marha 1 6-1 205 Impressive late-season pickup from Colorado. 20 Steve Rucchin 4 6-2 212 Must show he’s worth new $9.2-million contract. 39 Travis Green 6 6-2 196 Ducks hope he can be a 25-goal scorer this season. 44 Antti Aalto R 6-2 210 Impressive rookie, expected to start season in minors. 45 Matt Cullen 1 6-1 198 Best young player on the roster. 47 Johan Davidsson R 6-1 187 Second-best young player on the roster.

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RIGHT WINGS

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8 Teemu Selanne 6 6-0 201 Tied for the NHL lead with 52 goals last season. 17 Tomas Sandstrom 14 6-2 207 Hoping to rebound from dismal 1997-98. 19 Jeff Nielsen 1 6-0 195 Energetic and not afraid to mix it up.

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LEFT WINGS

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9 Paul Kariya 4 5-10 180 Healthy after battle with post-concussion syndrome. 32 Stu Grimson 10 6-5 239 Grim Reaper back for second stint in Anaheim. 33 Jim McKenzie 9 6-4 229 Grim Reaper’s sidekick and Kariya protector. 18 Ted Drury 5 6-0 206 Also capable of centering the checking line. 65 Mike Leclerc 1 6-1 206 Coaches like his aggressive play.

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DEFENSEMEN

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2 Fredrik Olausson 12 6-0 198 Acquired to quarterback the power play. 3 Kevin Haller 9 6-2 195 Steady veteran acquired from Carolina. 4 Jamie Pushor 2 6-3 218 Ducks hope he can become bruising defenseman. 6 Doug Houda 12 6-1 208 Veteran needed to help tutor youngsters. 7 Pavel Trnka 1 6-3 200 Often impressive in NHL debut last season. 21 Pascal Trepanier 1 6-0 210 Acquired from Colorado in waiver draft. 23 Jason Marshall 3 6-2 200 Most improved Duck at any position last season. 24 Ruslan Salei 2 6-1 206 See Pushor above.

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GOALTENDERS

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31 Guy Hebert 7 5-11 186 Last original Duck, been through good times and bad. 71 Jamie Ram R 5-11 176 Insurance in case of injury to veterans. 30 Dominic Roussel 5 6-1 191 Hasn’t played in NHL since 1995-96.

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