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Captain positions named

When he was approached about becoming an alternate captain, second-line center Saku Koivu acknowledged he needed time to think about it.

"I was a little bit surprised because I've only been here for a short period of time," said Koivu, who joined the Ducks as a free agent after spending 13 seasons with Montreal. "For the short period of time I've been in here, I can tell there's a lot of leadership in this room and there's a lot of guys that could wear the 'A.' "

Yet, Carlyle said there was a consensus among conversations he had with General Manager Bob Murray, defenseman Scott Niedermayer, center Todd Marchant and wingers Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne. They all agreed Koivu deserved the honor.

"Everyone in this room feels comfortable, has talked with him and has spent time with him in the shortest time we've been together," Niedermayer said. "He is a great guy. Obviously, he's a great hockey player, but he does everything the right way, works hard and listens. It's an easy choice."

Niedermayer was named captain for a second consecutive season ("You don't change who you are," he said) and Ryan Getzlaf was named the other alternate for a second consecutive season. "It's no different than being one of the guys," Getzlaf said.

Carlyle said he stressed to Koivu, who was a captain with Montreal for 10 seasons, that the responsibility would entail far less pressure than when he was with the Canadiens.

"In Montreal, every day there's something and you're kind of under a microscope 24/7," Koivu said. "That's a little bit different here. For me, for the captains and the team, it doesn't matter where you play and how big of a market it is. It's really about what happens in the [dressing] room with the guys and just trying to help out."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-du ... 5465.story

Hook, line and SINKER!

(Just take a look at the Ducks roster! What possible explanation will there be when they tank and underperform on their way to a MAJOR disappointment this season? Then contrast that to Montreals up-tick.)

The first line had to carry the load last season. If not for the great play of young Bobby Ryan, they may not of made the playoffs. I see this season a real task for them as they still have very limited secondary offense unless the over the hill club can pot a few. I wonder what cliques will arrise in Duckland this season.

Yeah, unlike real hockey experts/psychologists like these two jokers, the clueless Randy Carlyle has no freaking idea what's best for his team.

I recommend giving Andu the "C" for Clown. AB can be the Ass. Clown.

Lets not get worked up now . Souray also sports an Ass. and John hates him.

Me thinks Ducks are going to have a hard time making the playoffs. You don't off load Beauchimen and Pronger and replace their worth with a guy like saku.

Me also thinks Saku will be out of the gates and have a strong October but fizzle to nothing by Christmas time as per usual.

Brilliant Plouf....

The only thing is And-o's anti koivu thing is nothing more than a ruse. It's all part of his gimmick persona.

AB deserves the actual "'C"....he actually is clueless. And in love with Riblet.....

Regardless of what anyone thinks about Saku Koivu, the Duck's performance is certainly going to be scrutinized heavily this season.

Just look at that line-up...size, speed and depth at all positions.

They are contenders by anyone's definition!!!

...if they remain relatively healthy, they should be amongst the top-4 in the East (perhaps even the league).

I know one thing for certain...Bobby Ryan is amazing!

Thanks for letting us all know & not keeping it a secret any more after all
he was a second overall pick behind Crosby..........

Suddenly, the shine has come-off the Ducks pond!

Truth is, though, the shine was off all last season, until the team found another gear in the playoffs.

For the last 2 years the Ducks have dealt with issues of on-ice indiscipline, aging/injured/retiring vets, and offense drying up for long stretches. Last season they almost missed the playoffs. Now the Ducks are without their defensive rock in Pronger, and a second-pairing guy in Beauchemin. Plus Getzlaf is recovering from a serious injury, Bobby Ryan has been struggling, and the goaltending has been weak.

Time will tell if these struggles continue. I wonder if Carlyle's message is getting old? Certainly Koivu, Selanne, Marchant and Niedermayer are!

If I was a betting man though, I'd still predict a Ducks playoff appearance with the potential to do damage later. Too many savvy veterans there, and scoring that won't stay quiet for long. I mean Getzlaf-Perry-Ryan followed by Koivu-Selanne-Lupul? Pretty strong top 6. As Ando says, this lineup has no excuse for going on yet another losing/penalty binge.

So far WITH Koivu in lineup: 9-7-3
without: 1-4-0

If Koivu (and Selanne and Niedermayer) can stay healthy the Ducks will still be a threat, even without Pronger. They have two scoring lines, two options at goalie, and loads of gritty players.

As for AB's boy Marchant, last I looked he was in the bottom 5 in the league in plus/minus.

Marchant is a winner and a big game player. He has a ring to prove it. Still one of the fastest players in the league and at this stage of their careers, I'd take him anyday over Koivu because of all his playoff experience. At this point, he only has 4 points less than Koivu playing in a defensive roll. Lets rehash this when koivu does his typical post Christmas crash and we'll see who the Ducks are relying on.