Ducks Drop Four More Players

The Ducks are quickly starting to round out their regular season lineup as they dropped four more players off their training camp roster. Ryan Donally and Justin Pogge were assigned to San Antonio of the AHL while Kyle Calder and Jassen Cullimore were released from their pro-tryout agreements. The moves leave 26 players on the current NHL roster for the Ducks, including 15 forwards, eight defenceman, and two goalies.

Also expected to be sent to the minors is forward Troy Bodie. Unlike the others that were assigned to the minors or released today, Bodie participated in the full practice this morning at Anaheim Ice. Bodie will likely be assigned tomorrow (Sunday) morning before the Ducks take on the Kings that evening. When Bodie is sent down, it will leave the team with 25 players on the roster.

Calder was the better of the four players cut before today’s practice. The coaching staff decided to cut Calder in favor of younger players in order for them to gain experience. Calder would have been limited in ice time and games as he competed with other Duck forwards.

Cullimore didn’t get to see very much ice time in preseason games. It became apparent early in camp that the younger Ducks defenseman would pass the veteran on the depth chart, but Coach Randy Carlyle and the coaching staff decided to keep him on more for his presence in practice than anything.

Bodie played very well in his games and will likely be a member of the Ducks next season. Donally impressed with tenacious play but was not good enough to beat anyone for a roster spot. Pogge, although never expected to make the roster this season, sealed his fate last night with a  horrendous performance against the Sharks.

Most of the competition left will center around the defensive positions as Luca Sbisa, Nick Boynton, Steve Eminger, Brendan Mikkelson, and Sheldon Brookbank battle it out for the final two spots. Mikkelson has played very well in recent preseason games while Sbisa has looked slow and weak, even while playing with Scott Nidermayer. It will be an interesting few days as the battles continue.