Versatility May Be Watchword

Nothing is set in stone for the Mighty Ducks’ roster this season. First-year coach Bryan Murray seems intent on looking at all possibilities.

Matt Cullen, a center his entire playing career, played left wing in Friday’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes. Jonas Ronnqvist, who played right wing last season, centered the line.

“During an 82-game schedule, there are always injuries,” Murray said. “Having guys who can play a couple of spots sure helps.”

For proof, all you had to do was look at the Duck injury list Friday. Steve Rucchin, Marty McInnis, Mike Leclerc and Jason York were all sidelined because of sore hips, the result of hard skating during the first week of camp, Murray said.

So that left Cullen in an unfamiliar position, literally, during the Ducks’ 6-0 victory over the Coyotes before an announced crowd of 8,582 at the Arrowhead Pond.

“All I ever played growing up is center,” Cullen said. “I think I played wing a couple times during the World Junior championships [in 1996]. But there is nothing wrong with being versatile.”

Ronnqvist, a 28-year-old second-year player, hopes to convince Murray that center is where he should play. He was a center during his career in Sweden.

The Ducks figured Ronnqvist, who is 6 feet 2, 200 pounds, would be a physical presence in front of the net last season, but an early season knee injury limited his abilities on the ice.

Ronnqvist battled close to the net Friday, and was rewarded with an assist on the Ducks’ second goal. He cleared two defensemen from in front of the net, giving Petr Tenkrat an opening to lift a shot past goalie Sean Burke for a 2-0 lead 13 minutes 19 seconds into the first period.

Paul Kariya scored his first preseason goal, knocking in a rebound during a five-on-three power play at 11:56 of the period.

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Phoenix’s Daymond Langkow received a match penalty for intent to injure after he cross-checked the Ducks’ Antti-Jussi Niemi in the back of the head with his stick in the third period. The incident will be reviewed by NHL officials.