Smirnov Is Playing Below Expectations

Alexei Smirnov, projected as a quality power forward by the Mighty Ducks, keeps treading water.

Forwards Stanislav Chistov and defenseman Kurt Sauer, who like Smirnov are young rookies, continue to make significant contributions. But Smirnov, a 6-foot-4, 218-pound bull with figure skater moves, sits perched on the verge of good things.

In some ways, it is easy to forget that he is only 20.

There are eye-catching moments, when he baffles opponents and dazzles Duck officials, such as his hard drive to the net Sunday that required a heroic save by Chicago goalie Craig Andersson. Then there are times when Smirnov is a ghost on the ice.

Such are the growing pains.

“He needs to be more consistent,” Coach Mike Babcock said. “His work ethic and battle level have to get better.”

Smirnov had a goal and an assist in the season opener at St. Louis. He has been scoreless since, although there have been several near misses.

“I just need to score a goal, that would give me much more confidence,” Smirnov said, with defenseman Ruslan Salei translating. “It has been awhile. It would be nice to come up with one.”

His Duck peers haven’t made things any easier.

Chistov, 19, has made a fast adjustment, with skills that few rookies possess. He ranks second among rookies in scoring with 14 points.

Sauer, 21, has been solid on defense, playing beyond his years. His alert clearing of the puck from in front of the net in the closing seconds Sunday wasn’t the entire reason the Ducks hung on for a 3-2 victory, but it certainly helped.

Smirnov, meanwhile, has meandered. He has been out of the Duck lineup seven of the last 16 games -- five as a healthy scratch and two while he was at minor league Cincinnati. His play has been adequate, spiced by moments of brilliance.

“To be a power forward in this game when you’re 20 years old is tough,” Babcock said. “He has a chance to be a star. The size of man you’ve got to be to play that way is tough to be at his age, especially when you haven’t been in North America before.”

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The Ducks’ charity event to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, will be held Dec. 13 at the Hyatt Regency in Garden Grove. Details: (714) 938-1393 or (714) 940-2969.

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TONIGHT

at Detroit, 4:30 PST, Fox Sports Net 2

Site -- Joe Louis Arena

Radio -- KPLS (830).

Records -- Ducks 9-7-6-3; Red Wings 13-7-3-1.

Record vs. Red Wings -- 0-0-0-1.

Update -- The Red Wings were without defenseman Chris Chelios and center Pavel Datsyuk on Sunday night. Chelios, who has a broken finger, may play tonight. Datsyuk, however, is out at least three weeks with a twisted right knee. After 25 games last season, the Ducks were 7-15-3-0.

-- Chris Foster