Beauchemin Is Happy to Be Part of the Team

After playing sporadically for the Columbus Blue Jackets, defenseman Francois Beauchemin has found a regular role with the Mighty Ducks since coming over with center Tyler Wright in the Sergei Fedorov trade Nov. 15.

Beauchemin has been paired with Scott Niedermayer in five-on-five situations and on power plays. In nine games with the Ducks, the 25-year-old rookie has a plus/minus rating of plus-four.

“I’ve gotten an opportunity to play every night,” Beauchemin said. “I’m getting lots of ice time and it’s given me confidence to do what I’ve done so far.”

Said Coach Randy Carlyle: “The No. 1 thing when we acquired him was that we felt he could vie for a position on our defense. The only way we were going to truly find that out is give him an opportunity to play some games.”

Beauchemin called it a “dream come true” to be alongside Niedermayer, the reigning Norris Trophy winner on defense.

“He’s given me a lot more confidence,” he said. “I’m less nervous with the puck and making better plays. He’s told me I just have to read off what he’s doing.”

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Could the trade talk surrounding Petr Sykora and the benching of the left wing last Thursday against Buffalo have been a ploy to light a fire under the veteran? Carlyle suggested as much after Sunday’s practice.

Sykora had a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 5-3 victory in Montreal after scoring one point in the last nine he played in. He also sat out five other games with a groin strain.

“The thing is that’s the only thing that as a coach you have is minutes and ice time,” Carlyle said. “As a coach, I feel that’s the most dramatic thing that you can do.”

TONIGHT

at Toronto, 4:30 PST, FSN West 2

Site -- Air Canada Centre.

Radio -- 1090.

Records -- Ducks 13-12-5, Maple Leafs 15-12-3.

Record vs. Maple Leafs (2003-04) -- 1-0-0.

Update -- Duck center Andy McDonald got his 100th point Saturday when he assisted on Ruslan Salei’s goal against the Canadiens. The Maple Leafs have been woeful on the power play with only nine goals in their last 66 chances.