Young Trio Could Bring Needed Depth

For the Mighty Ducks, the glass-is-half-full theory may hinge on three players, none of them named Paul Kariya.

If Timo Parssinen, Samuel Pahlsson and Petr Tenkrat, all young and skilled, progress from prospects to productive NHL players this season, suddenly the Ducks’ picture brightens. The Ducks need offense, so any consistent contributions from those three will ease that burden.

“If we get Parssinen and Pahlsson to produce a little, and a couple more guys to step up, then we’ll have depth this team never has had,” Coach Bryan Murray said.

Tenkrat, a 24-year-old right wing, showed flashes last season but had only five goals and nine points in 46 games. During one eight-game streak, however, he had three goals and seven points.

Pahlsson, a 23-year-old center, was solid defensively last season, and demonstrated some offensive life with two goals in the Ducks’ 3-2 exhibition victory over San Jose Sunday.

Parssinen’s situation is less certain, since he has never played in the NHL. But he followed up his two-goal, four-point game Friday with another solid performance against the Sharks, setting up Pahlsson’s second goal with a slick pass.

“I was happy to come back with another good game,” said Parssinen, a 24-year-old left wing. “I kept my play at the same level. I hope I’ve shown I belong here.”

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Steve Rucchin and Mike Leclerc, both out with sore hips the last week, will play in tonight’s exhibition at San Jose. Right wing Marty McInnis is out with a groin injury

Defenseman Niclas Havelid, who is rehabilitating from surgery on his right knee, practiced with the team Monday, but was not allowed to participate in contact drills.

Ilja Bryzgalov, a 21-year old rookie, will start in goal for the Ducks tonight .... The Ducks assigned Brian White, Mat Snesrud, Andy McDonald, Jay Legault, Cam Severson, Peter Podhradsky and Torrey DiRoberto to Cincinnati, their minor league affiliate, and released Eric Fortier and Jean-Francois Nogues.