The Ducks open the pre-season tonight with a pair of split squad games against the Colorado Avalanche. One game will be played at the Honda Center while the other contest will be played in Denver at the same time. Coach Bruce Boudreau has devided the roster into the following groups:
Honda Center Team
31 G Frederik Andersen 36 G John Gibson 4 D Cam Fowler 6 D Ben Lovejoy 10 RW Corey Perry 15 C Ryan Getzlaf 16 LW Emerson Etem 18 RW Tim Jackman 20 C David Steckel 23 D Francois Beauchemin 36 LW Matt Beleskey 41 LW John Kurtz 42 D Josh Manson 44 C Nate Thompson 46 LW Nick Ritchie 47 D Hampus Lindholm 50 LW Nicolas Kerdiles 51 LW Dany Heatley 52 D Brendan Bell 54 D Andrew O'Brien 62 C Chris Wagner 67 RW Rickard Rakell 74 C/LW Joseph Cramarossa 78 C Charlie Sarault
Pepsi Center Team 30 G Jason LaBarbera 72 G Igor Bobkov 3 D Clayton Stoner 7 C/LW Andrew Cogliano 12 RW Devante Smith-Pelly 17 C Ryan Kesler 19 LW Patrick Maroon 28 D Mark Fistric 33 RW Jakob Silfverberg 37 D Mat Clark 38 C William Karlsson 40 LW Steve MacIntyre 43 C/LW Max Friberg 45 D Sami Vatanen 48 RW Brandon Yip 55 LW Brad Winchester 57 LW Kenton Helgesen 58 C Matt Bailey 60 D Kevin Gagne 61 D Nathan McIver 64 RW Stefan Noesen 65 C Louis Leblanc 77 D Jesse Blacker
The Ducks have been playing Jakob Silfverberg – Ryan Kesler – Patrick Maroon as a line in practice. Silfverberg talked to Ducks.com about his new linemate:
“He’s one of the top players in the league,… he said. “He’s a big guy and a really strong skater. He’s really strong on the puck. He’s good on one-on-ones, and he’s really going to help us out a lot. I’m sure he’s going to have a good year.…
As far as his own game is concerned, Silfverberg continued:
“I want to get better every year. I have more confidence heading into this year. I know the team better, I know the coach and hopefully I can put up more points and help the team win some games.…
The coaching staff also got a look at things to come. Yesterday morning Nick Ritchie – Rickard Rackell – Emerson Etem skated as a line.
-Ed