Roster Undergoes Changes

The Mighty Ducks continued to search for answers Sunday, which meant another roster shake-up.

Out: right wing Jonas Ronnqvist and defenseman Antti-Jussi Niemi, who were shipped to Cincinnati, the Ducks’ minor league affiliate.

In: centers Antti Aalto and Andy McDonald, who were recalled from Cincinnati.

Sidelined: center German Titov, who is listed as day-to-day with a bruised left foot, an injury suffered when he blocked a shot in Saturday’s game against Colorado.

With Ronnqvist gone and Titov injured, Coach Craig Hartsburg was able to tinker with the Ducks’ least productive line. McDonald and Aalto, who played left wing, teamed with tight wing Ladislav Kohn Sunday against Detroit.

Ronnqvist, a 27-year old rookie from Sweden, had no goals and one assist in 15 games. Titov, who signed a three-year $4.6-million contract in July, has been disappointing, with two goals in 15 games.

Titov’s injury was his second this season. He missed three games in October because of sore chest muscles. Still, he wasn’t using the injuries as an excuse.

“I feel I haven’t played well and I know I can be better,” Titov said. “It takes time to get used to new players. The first time I was traded, it was quite a shock and took me a while to get used to it. But it is always difficult.”

Aalto’s recall brought him full circle in a month. He was sent to Cincinnati on Oct. 15 and took the demotion hard. The Ducks even shopped him around the league but found no takers. His stock rose after he scored three goals in seven games with Cincinnati.