The Anaheim Ducks wrap-up a long week of home games tonight, here’s a recap of what you may have missed this past week.
It was another week filled with ups and downs for the Anaheim Ducks. A great performance against Winnipeg was followed by an embarrassing effort at home against Toronto. A shootout win against St. Louis on Friday gives the Ducks an opportunity to end the weekend on a high note tonight against Detroit.
While the Red Wings move to the eastern conference has derailed the rivalry with the Ducks a bit, tonight’s game should still be intense and important points are on the line for both teams.
Here is a weekend recap
Despres Back To Practice
Simon Despres has not played since October 16th when he was vicitim of a high hit that has since sidelined him with a concussion. Updates on Despres have been nonexistent as the Ducks kept things tight-lipped but the defensemen is finally nearing a return.
After gaining clearance from team doctors near Christmas time and skating on his own for a few days, Despres practiced with the Ducks Saturday for the first time since being concussed in October.
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It was a very promising sign for the Ducks with Cam Fowler also being out with a sprained knee. Many who took in the Ducks practice said the usually quiet and unemotional Despres was finding it difficult to hold back smiles.
In interviews after practice, Despres told the media that it has been a long journey back. He noted that setbacks occurred and that is what led to his elongated absence as he and the Ducks wanted to make sure he was at 100%.
However, this is just one step of many that Despres must take before he is game ready. The big test will be when he begins to take contact consistently and feels 100% after each practice. A few game with the San Diego Gulls will also likely be in order to help Despres return to game shape which will be a huge challenge for a guy who has not played in a game in nearly three months.
Other Ducks Injury Updates
Cam Fowler remains out with a knee injury. Today marks two weeks since Fowler was injured and his orginal timetable for return was 4-6 weeks. A late January return would be a risky presumption, but an early February return is highly likely.
Clayton Stoner missed a few games with a lower body injury. Boudreau said after practice yesterday that Stoner is ready to go and he should be back in tonight against Detroit. Korbinian Holzer stepped in for Stoner this week but really struggled Friday against the Blues.
Jonathan Drouin Watch
Drouin remains the hottest name on the trade market after he went public with his trade request from Tampa.
More from Ducks News
- Who could the Anaheim Ducks consider presenting offer sheets to?
- Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
- Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
- Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
- How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?
Drouin was sent to the AHL last week and played Friday and Saturday night for the Syracuse Crunch. He scored two goals in the first period Friday night but was scoreless last night. The final game of the weekend for the Crunch is tonight.
Seven NHL teams sent scouts and other representatives to Syracuse for “Drouin watch”. The Anaheim Ducks were one of the teams that has been keeping an eye on Drouin all weekend and Ducks GM Bob Murray will likely continue to do so.
Here’s 8 possible trades the Ducks could make to land Drouin. It would be a costly trade as Drouin is a former 3rd overall pick.
Goalie Watch
The Ducks acquired Dustin Tokarski from the Canadiens earlier this week in a weird trade that caught some off guard.
It is assumed that another move will be made a the Ducks now have four NHL caliber goaltenders under contract. Tokarski is with the Gulls of the AHL along with Anton Khudobin, who is one guy the Ducks could move.
Khudobin was cleared through waivers earlier this season and he carries a buried cap hit of $1.3 million, a significant amount of money that could help Bob Murray out if he finds a way to move Khudobin.
Freddie Andersen’s name continues to be in the rumor mill as well.
John Gibson has taken over the number one job and he was recently named an all-star. Andersen is an unrestricted free agent at seasons end and it might be in Murray and the Ducks best interest to move Freddie. However, Gibson continues to have trouble staying healthy and that is a big issue.
World Juniors Recap
Congrats to Ducks prospect Julius Nattinen on winning gold at the World Juniors for the host country Finland. Nattinen had a few points in the tournament and played a big role for an impressive Finland squad.
Ducks defensive prospects Jacob Larsson and Marcus Pettersson also had nice tournaments for Sweden.
A Look Ahead
The Ducks will be tested this week. Ottawa comes to town on Wednesday and the Stars are in Anaheim on Friday before the Ducks face the Kings for the first time this season a week from today.
The NHL trade deadline is a little over a month away (Feb. 29th) and things will begin to heat up. It’s no secret that Bob Murray would love to add some scoring help and it something to keep and eye on from here on out.