Davidsson Scores in Loss to Coyotes

This was the week the Ducks learned what they have been missing all these years. The Ducks drafted Swedish center Johan Davidsson in 1994, but he kept them waiting and wondering when he would sign an NHL contract.

Davidsson finally signed on the dotted line this summer, and judging by the reviews, the Ducks couldn’t be happier. They rewarded Davidsson, 22, with a spot on their top line for Saturday’s exhibition opener against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Arrowhead Pond.

And Davidsson scored a third-period goal, on a blistering slap shot from the left point, in the Ducks’ 4-2 loss to the Coyotes before an announced crowd of 13,183.

Linemates Teemu Selanne and Steve Rucchin assisted on Davidsson’s goal, which cut the Coyotes’ lead to 3-2 with 2:12 left.

“So far, he’s done a great job,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said.

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The medical news was mixed Saturday.

A week of tests on defenseman Fredrik Olausson revealed that his enlarged spleen was much ado about nothing. He has received medical clearance and will practice today.

Defenseman Dan Trebil will be sidelined three to four weeks because of a broken left cheekbone, suffered when he was struck by a puck during Friday’s scrimmage.

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The Ducks made their first round of cuts. Defensemen Byron Briske, Joel Kwiatkowski and Lloyd Shaw, forwards Marc Chouinard, Eric Lecompte, Matt Loen, Igor Nikulin and Tony Tuzzolino and goalie Chris Mason were assigned to Cincinnati of the American Hockey League.

Left wing Jay Legault and defenseman Stephen Peat, the Ducks’ second-round draft pick this summer, were returned to their junior teams. Forwards Jay Hebert, younger brother of goalie Guy Hebert, and Shawn McNeil were released.