The Heat Is on Titov to Start Producing

Mighty Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg did his best to put a positive spin on the plight of center German Titov, the Ducks’ big free-agent signing last summer.

“I thought this game, he looked a lot better,” Hartsburg said after Sunday’s 1-0 loss to the Dallas Stars.

The question is, better than what? At this point, Tonya Harding would be tougher in front of the net.

When asked later if he expected more from Titov, Hartsburg said, “You could say that,” then peered over a reporter’s notebook as if to make sure his statement was being written down.

Titov said that small injuries still bother him. He sat out three games because of a bruised left foot and two games because of a sore chest. But Hartsburg said Titov is “100%.”

Either way, Titov has delivered virtually nothing. He may have 137 goals, but he has only two in 25 games this season. Stu Grimson, the Kings’ enforcer, got two goals in two games last week, giving him more punch than Titov in two areas.

Even in his own dressing room, Titov is being out-performed offensively by a hit man. Enforcer Jim Cummins has four goals and eight points. Titov, who was proclaimed a consistent 50-point player by Duck General Manager Pierre Gauthier last summer, has five points.

Gauthier, of course, has been adamant about what he calls “retirement contracts” for older players and rails against the players’ association constantly. At this point, he may be the best friend the NHLPA has after signing Titov to a three-year, $4.5-million contract. In return, Titov performs magic, just not on the ice. He shows up, dresses and, poof, disappears. He has 21 shots in 25 games.

If not for the large contract, Titov would almost certainly be a memory at this point. While it would be unfair to blame the Ducks’ offensive stagnation--they have 18 goals in their last 11 games--on Titov, he certainly could solve some of the problems. Paul Kariya was begging for more action in front of the net.

“It’s like in basketball, if the jump shots aren’t falling, you try to get some layups,” Kariya said.

First, though, something needs to jump-start Titov.