Ducks Are in the Hunt for Free-Agent Center

The Mighty Ducks are one of about a half-dozen teams attempting to sign center Tim Taylor, who played for the Boston Bruins last season.

Taylor, an unrestricted free agent, is believed to be seeking a four-year deal worth between $1-2 million a year. He made $675,000 with the Bruins last season.

Duck General Manager Pierre Gauthier said he “preferred not to comment on things that have not happened.” He had made it clear that building a checking line was a priority this off-season.

Taylor, 30, played on the Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup championship team in 1996-97. He would give the Ducks an experienced center on their third line.

Taylor was limited to 49 games during the 1998-99 regular season because of an ankle injury. He finished with four goals and seven assists. A shoulder injury hampered Taylor during the playoffs.

The Bruins claimed Taylor off waivers before the 1997-98 season. He played in 80 games that season and had career highs in goals (20) and points (31).

In other news:

* The Ducks and Red Wings have agreed to share Cincinnati, the Ducks’ primary minor league affiliate, next season. The Red Wings will loan up to eight players to the American Hockey League team for the 1999-2000 season.

* The Ducks are working to sign defenseman Vitaly Vishnevsky, their first-round pick (fifth overall) in 1998. The Ducks must sign Vishnevsky before next Thursday--a league rule regarding the signing of European players--in order for him to play this season. A second signing period runs until Aug. 15, but would involve extra transfer fees that Gauthier said he would not want to pay.

* The Ducks have five remaining restricted free agents they have yet to sign: Oleg Tverdovsky, Ruslan Salei, Jason Marshall, Pavel Trnka and Antti Aalto.