Ducks Get Defenseman Carney

The Mighty Ducks on Tuesday filled a glaring void in their defense corps by acquiring dependable veteran Keith Carney from the Phoenix Coyotes for a second-round draft pick.

Carney, 31, gives the Ducks more experience and, at 6 feet 2 and 214 pounds, adds size and strength. What’s more, he has the NHL’s fourth-longest streak of consecutive games played (247). Carney, signed for the next three seasons with an option for two more, played all 82 games in 2000-01 for the Coyotes, scoring two goals and 16 points.

“We like our mix better now,” said Pierre Gauthier, Duck president and general manager. “We’ve got a top offensive guy with Oleg Tverdovsky, a big hitter with Vitaly Vishnevski, a gritty guy with Ruslan Salei, a great skater with Niclas Havelid and now we have a veteran guy with Carney.”

Opponents exploited the Ducks’ lack of experience on defense last season. The team gave up 245 goals, second most in the Western Conference behind the Chicago Blackhawks’ 246.

Starting with the March 5 trade sending fan-favorite Teemu Selanne to the San Jose Sharks for winger Jeff Friesen and goaltender Steve Shields, Gauthier has dramatically revamped the Duck roster. Gauthier also hired Bryan Murray as coach May 25. Murray replaced Guy Charron, who was not retained at season’s end.

“I don’t want to go through another season like last season,” Gauthier said, referring to the Ducks’ 25-41-11-5 record and last-place finish in the conference.

Of obtaining a veteran defenseman such as Carney, he said, “This was our biggest need for the summer. There was no doubt that it was the first thing on the list.”

The Ducks have six picks in the first four rounds of the draft, which will be held Saturday and Sunday in Sunrise, Fla. Gauthier traded the 41st overall pick to the Coyotes, but kept his other second-round pick (35th overall). He also has the fifth pick in the opening round and three selections in the fourth round (102, 105 and 118).

Gauthier said Tuesday’s trade would probably be his last before the draft. He ruled out trading his first-round pick, but with three picks in the fourth round, he could be in a position to make further deals.