Havelid’s Defense Is Offensive

Defenseman Niclas Havelid is a big fan of the NHL’s crackdown on obstruction. While he feels it is good for the game, there is some selfishness involved.

Havelid, healthy for the first time in nearly two seasons, has been the Ducks’ most effective offensive defenseman this season, benefiting from the rule enforcement. His strengths as a defenseman lean more toward skating and puck handling than bumping and grinding.

“You have to be able to move quicker and use good body position,” Havelid said.

Havelid has taken advantage of that. He leads Duck defensemen with five assists, three more than he had in 52 games last season. Although he has yet to score a goal, he hit the post twice with shots on power play.

As important is his ability to bring the puck out up the ice.

“The way the game is now, you can’t hold anyone up,” Coach Mike Babcock said. “You have to be able to move the puck fast. When you look at teams, they have transition defensemen and they really come at you with speed.”

That is what the Ducks expected of Havelid when he made the jump from Sweden to the NHL in the 1999-2000 season. Since then, he has been slowed by injuries, including a severe knee injury in 2000-01 that took more than a year to rehabilitate completely.

“Last season, my leg was strong, but it wasn’t where I wanted it to be,” Havelid said. “I couldn’t do any off-ice work. You lose confidence when you feel you’re not 100%.”

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Right wing Alexei Smirnov returned to practice Tuesday and is expected to play tonight against Nashville. Smirnov left Monday’s practice with a wrist injury, but X-rays were negative.

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Center Samuel Pahlsson has been suspended indefinitely by the Ducks for leaving Cincinnati, their minor league team, and returning to Southern California.

Pahlsson, 24, played 80 games for the Ducks last season, but did not make the team out of training camp this season. Duck officials said they have not had contact with Pahlsson since he left Cincinnati.

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TONIGHT

vs. Nashville, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- KPLS (830).

Records -- Ducks 3-6-3-0; Predators 1-5-1-4.

Record vs. Predators (2001-02) -- 3-1.

Update -- Defenseman Jason York, traded from Anaheim to Nashville three weeks ago, has no goals or assists in five games. Duck center Jason Krog was sent to Cincinnati Tuesday.

-- Chris Foster