New Model Is Still Sputtering

Only a few thousand curious fans stopped by the Arrowhead Pond to check out Pierre Gauthier’s summer remodeling job. What they witnessed Monday was hardly worth the trip.

One lackluster offensive showing would be forgivable as typical of early exhibition games. Two wouldn’t be anything to fret about.

But three in a row means a disturbing trend has developed, which is where the Ducks stand today after a 2-0 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes left them winless in three exhibitions.

Gauthier, the Duck president and general manager, expects his numerous off-season moves to pay dividends. In time, they might be just what is needed to get the Ducks back into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

But newcomers such as centers Andy McDonald and German Titov and wingers Dan Bylsma, Jim Cummins and Jonas Ronnqvist haven’t produced so far.

True, Coach Craig Hartsburg has played three different lineups in as many games. But there was no more chemistry with Paul Kariya, Teemu Selanne, Steve Rucchin and Oleg Tverdovsky making their exhibition debuts than when less experienced and skilled lineups lost Saturday to San Jose and Sunday to the Kings.

The Ducks outshot Phoenix, 33-19, but couldn’t get anything past goalies Robert Esche and Patrick DesRochers.

The Duck power play had a couple of quality chances midway through the second period, but Kariya fanned on one try from the slot and Marty McInnis hit the post a moment later. Selanne also hammered a slap shot off the post during a third-period power play. By game’s end, the Ducks were scoreless on 11 chances with the man advantage.

“The biggest thing is that it’s early and we can’t get frustrated,” Hartsburg said. “Tonight, we did everything but put it in the net. The biggest concern I have is that we don’t get frustrated. We still have lots of games here in the next two weeks.”

Teppo Numminen and Mika Alatalo scored for Phoenix.

So, after three exhibitions, the Ducks have a grand total of one goal. They are scoreless in 24 power-play opportunities and have given up four power-play goals in 23 short-handed situations.

“We haven’t had a chance other than tonight to have the people we want on our power play,” Hartsburg said.

Things will almost certainly get better as training camp progresses. They can’t get much worse. But try selling patience to an announced crowd of only 9,802, which appeared to be closer to 6,500.