Fasth and Guenin to Alternate Leagues, Getzlaf Staying Put
By jer
Mar 21, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) salutes the crowd after the game against the St. Louis Blues at the Honda Center. The Ducks defeated the Blues, 4-3. Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE
A couple of lockout-related moves, as well as one decision not to move are being reported by The OC Register’s Eric Stephens (here and here).
Ducks’ prospect goaltender Viktor Fasth will be joining the Swedish team Tingsryd AIF, who are part of the HockeyAllsvenskan league (which Stephens indicates is the league one step under the country’s premier league Elitserien, better know to US fans as the Swedish Elite League). His contract is reported to be for five games only. Fasth previously played with the team from 2004-2007.
Nate Guenin, who appeared in 15 NHL games last season for the Ducks but otherwise spent most of his time on former Anaheim affiliate Syracuse Crunch’s roster, will be joining the Ducks’ newest AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. I will leave speculation as to what this will mean for our partner club to our Admirals correspondent Ted Warren, as he’s better qualified to give you the details. The deal allows Guenin to return to the Ducks roster once the lockout ends.
Ryan Getzlaf, on the other hand, has informed the Register that he plans to stay in Southern California during the lockout and will not be playing for other leagues.
From the OC Register:
"“I’m at a point now where I have a young boy at home,” he said. “It’s nice to spend time with him and [my wife and] I have another baby due in December. It’s kind of at a point where I don’t really have the option to go over to Europe right now with my son and one on the way.“It’s a great time for me to spend time with my family and hope that this thing doesn’t last long.”"
Last week, Bobby Ryan also indicated he would also not be playing overseas during the lockout. Let’s hope we’re not waiting too long to see them back in the Honda Center.
Jer is ready for the lockout to be over. Follow him on Twitter @JerMeansWell.