Tverdovsky Likes Being a Devil

Former Mighty Duck defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky is alive and well and playing in New Jersey.

Tverdovsky was hardly surprised when he was traded to the Devils this summer. He has adjusted nicely, playing for a franchise that has made the playoffs 13 of the last 15 seasons, which includes Stanley Cup championships in 1995 and 2000.

“I like it here,” said Tverdovsky, who had an assist in the Devils’ 3-2 overtime victory over the Ducks on Tuesday. “I see a real chance to win here. They have won the Cup here and there is no reason we can’t do it again.”

Tverdovsky was sent to the Devils in a six-player trade that landed Petr Sykora in Anaheim. Tverdovsky had two tours of duty with the Ducks and was a key part of their last playoff team in 1998-99.

He was expecting the trade after Bryan Murray was elevated from coach to general manager last spring.

“I didn’t know how to react,” said Tverdovsky, who has no goals and six assists this season. “On one hand, this is a chance to win right now and I’m really excited about that. On the other hand, I really wanted Anaheim to become a competitive team.”

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Former Ducks Tverdovsky, Jeff Friesen and Jim McKenzie all had assists for the Devils on Tuesday. All were traded by the Ducks to New Jersey.

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Mike Leclerc had elbow surgery and will rejoin the team in Columbus tonight. He suffered a torn bursa sac in his elbow during Sunday’s game.

Leclerc may not miss any more games. He was called “questionable” by Duck officials for the game against the Blue Jackets on Thursday.

“I sure expect him to play,” Coach Mike Babcock said. “I thought he should have played [Tuesday], but they don’t let me make those decisions.”

Leclerc missed 11 games in the 1999-2000 season because of a similar injury in his left elbow that became infected.

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Duck goalie Martin Gerber, who returned to Switzerland to see his ailing mother, will meet the Ducks in Columbus today. He is expected to play for minor league Cincinnati on Friday before rejoining the team.