Roussel Likes Backup Role

A year ago, Duck goalie Dominic Roussel’s future was uncertain. He was one of a handful of goalies with the Nashville Predators, with no guarantee of having a job.

“It was weird, they called about 12 of us into a meeting and none of us knew what was going to happen,” Roussel said. “Then they pulled me out of it and told me I had accomplished my goal, I had made the team. Then they told me I was being traded to the Mighty Ducks. They had an offer they couldn’t refuse.”

Whether goalie Chris Mason and defenseman Marc Moro, the two minor league players the Ducks sent to Nashville in the deal, are can’t-pass-up players is still to be seen. For Roussel, though, it was a new lease on his hockey life.

Roussel, who didn’t play in the NHL in 1997-98, was 4-5-4 with a solid .923 save percentage last season.

He will make his first start of this exhibition season tonight against the Kings at the Forum . He has a two-year contract which will pay him $400,000 a year. He will see more time this season, giving starter Guy Hebert more rest.

“I can focus on getting ready for the season instead of focusing on trying to win a job,” said Roussel, who was a third-round pick by Philadelphia in 1988. “I think I can help the team better this season.”

Said Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg: “We would like to play him more this season. “Guy is our No. 1 guy, but we want to give him more time off the ice. Dominic has played well and deserves the playing time.”

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Paul Kariya will not play tonight because of an injured left hip. Kariya didn’t practice with the team Sunday.

“We do not want him to play until he is ready,” Hartsburg said. “It is taking time for him to get where he wants to be.”

Defenseman Kevin Haller, recovering from knee surgery, is not expected to practice for another week.