Rookie Sauer Shows Promise

Based on his steady play over the first two months of the season, first-year player Kurt Sauer is proving that he has the ability to be a top-notch NHL defenseman. Anaheim Coach Mike Babcock considers Sauer the best rookie in the league.

“Everyone’s always talking about [Mighty Duck forward Stanislav] Chistov and all these guys, but the rookie of the year in the National Hockey League from what I’ve seen so far is Kurt Sauer,” Babcock said.

Sauer, who played for Babcock with Spokane of the Western Hockey League in 1999-2000, is a stay-at-home defenseman with only one assist in 28 games.

“I’m learning everything that I can every day,” Sauer said. “The guys on the team have been great helping me out. Hopefully, I’m getting better.”

In order to make up for a lack of size, the line combination of Matt Cullen, Jason Krog and Andy McDonald gets the job done with speed.

“We can’t overpower people, so we have to use our quickness by getting the puck up along the wall and skate into it,” said McDonald, who had a goal and assist in the Ducks’ 4-3 victory at Chicago on Friday.

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TONIGHT

vs. Nashville, 5

TV -- Channel 9

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- KPLS (830).

Records -- Ducks 10-9-6-3, Predators 6-12-4-4

Record vs. Predators -- 1-0-0-0.

Update -- Goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 34 saves in a 2-1 victory over the Predators last month at the Pond. Defenseman Ruslan Salei is doubtful because of a back strain, which has sidelined him the last two weeks.