Anaheim mayor calls Honda Center upgrade 'fan-tastic'

Ducks and Honda Center owners Henry and Susan Samueli were joined by Anaheim city leaders Wednesday in a ground-breaking ceremony for the $20-million Grand Terrace project, described as the most extensive upgrade in the venue's history and another sign of the city's still-strong interest in enticing the NBA's Sacramento Kings to move south.

"We can envision a day fans will attend NHL hockey, concerts and NBA basketball games here," Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait said at a ceremony complete with hard hats for guests, shovels in the ground and Ducks mascot Wild Wing at the wheel of a bulldozer.

"It will be fan-tastic," Tait added, a reference to the dated NBA ad campaign that some in the crowd missed, causing the mayor to explain, "That's supposed to be funny."

Anaheim is awaiting a March 1 deadline that Kings' owners have for Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson to reveal a financing plan for a new arena in the state capital.

The NBA last year asked Kings owners the Maloof brothers to delay a decision on moving south for a year, allowing Sacramento officials more time to produce an arena plan. The move came after Anaheim last March approved a $75-million bond plan that would improve the Honda Center and provide a $50-million loan to the team's owners.

Anaheim was to merely act as an escrow broker in that now-expired deal, with the $75 million actually coming from the Samuelis.

Tait said Wednesday that if a similar deal comes about, the city will stay out of it, after being subjected to criticism by some who were confused about its involvement in the Samueli loan, thinking it was a typical bond deal, which it was not.

Ducks beat Flames, 3-2, in eighth round of shootout

Niklas Hagman wasn’t exactly sure where he fit in the long-and-winding shootout between the Ducks and Flames on Monday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

“I can’t even … I was the sixth, seventh, eighth shooter? I don’t even know,” he said.

Eight was enough as Hagman scored the winner in the shootout against his former teammates, giving the Ducks a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames.

The Ducks might be floundering, losing to the minnow Columbus Blue Jackets the other day and having looked directionless in November and December.

But at least the Ducks had one thing going for them at home.

They can still beat the Flames.

On Monday, that vestige of pride survived the tense shootout. Calgary had not won in Anaheim since Jan. 19, 2004, a 14-game losing streak, making the Honda Center a haunted house for them. And Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff stays at 299 career victories, thwarted by a fellow Finn and teammate who claimed off waivers by the Ducks.

There was still some suspense even after Hagman’s shootout goal. The Flames could have pushed it into a ninth round but Duck goalie Jonas Hiller stopped Mikael Backland’s effort.

“We really needed those two points. We really wanted it,” said Hiller, who faced 26 shots and stopped six of the eight attempts in the shootout.

The Ducks grabbed the two points after having blown a 2-0 lead. Scoring for them in regulation, both goals coming in the first period,  were Bobby Ryan, at 15:52, and Matt Beleskey at 17:51.

Calgary’s goals came from Alex Tanguay and captain Jarome Iginla. Iginla’s third-period goal, coming on the power play, was his 20th of the season, and it marks the 14th season he has hit, or bettered, the 20-goal plateau. The Flames went on the power play when Ducks’ defenseman Luca Sbisa received a five-minute major and automatic game misconduct for an illegal hit to the head of the Flames’ Tim Jackman.

The run against the Flames is the Ducks’ longest win streak against one opponent at home in franchise history.

--Lisa Dillman

Photo: Anaheim's Niklas Hagman fires the winning shot past Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff in the eighth round of the shootout Monday night. Credit: Harry How / Getty Images

Ducks update: Francois Beauchemin gets a contract extension

Score two goals and add an assist in one game and along comes a contract extension.

The serious truth is the Ducks have been working a deal with veteran Francois Beauchemin long before he scored three points against the Coyotes on Wednesday night. 

On Friday, the team announced that the defenseman has agreed to a three-year extension. The move takes him off the market as he would have been an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

His deal is worth $10.5 million. The breakdown is $3.5 million in each of the next three years.

Beauchemin has six goals and 18 points in 45 games this season and is a plus-one on the plus-minus scale.

The 31-year-old is in his second tour with the Ducks. Previously, he was with them for three seasons, including the run to the Stanley Cup in 2007, and then signed with Toronto before the 2009-10 season. Beauchemin came back to Anaheim a little less than a year ago in a trade with the Maple Leafs for right winger Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Jake Gardiner and a future conditional draft pick.

“Francois is a dedicated, versatile and hard-working defenseman who is committed to our organization,” said Ducks General Manager Bob Murray in a statement. “We are extremely pleased to have him under contract for the next three years."

-- Lisa Dillman

Photo: Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin battles Kings winger Ryan Smyth (9) for the puck during a game last season. Credit: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

Teemu Selanne hands All-Star torch to Corey Perry

Really, it wasn't as though Teemu Selanne expected to be treated like a humanitarian for bypassing the NHL All-Star Game and pushing for the selection of Ducks teammate Corey Perry.

Selanne said, joking: "Old guy has to rest."

It made complete sense. At 41, he's been there and done that in terms of the All-Star Game. Players have often begged off All-Star duties for differing reasons through the years, and it's an awfully long haul from Southern California to Ottawa for the All-Star weekend.

"I think it's a young guy's turn," Selanne said Thursday morning in Calgary, Canada. "Obviously we have an MVP on our team, so it's better that Perry goes there. He's the man. The MVP should go. It's better that he be there."

So does Perry owe him a steak dinner?

Selanne, laughing, said: "I owe him dinner."

The decision was not difficult.

"It's very easy," Selanne said. "I've been there many times. Honestly, I think it's a great opportunity for young players, and again, Perry was [the NHL] MVP last year."

Said Perry: "He [Selanne] says it could be his last year, whatever it is, his last kick at the All- Star Game. It surprised me. But that's the way he is .... It means something to me and shows what kind of guy he is."

Ducks' Teemu Selanne to play in 1,300th NHL game

Every time Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne steps on the ice or records a point, he seems to reach another career milestone or move up on the NHL’s all-time scoring lists.

The 41-year-old Finn was poised to hit another milestone Tuesday against the Dallas Stars by playing in his 1,300th NHL game. That will make him the 52nd player in NHL history, ninth European-born player and only the second Finn — after Teppo Numminen --to reach that number.  Among active players he ranks fourth, after Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom (1,535), Washington’s Roman Hamrlik (1,347), and Philadelphia’s Jaromir Jagr (1,307).

“It’s a big number, yes,” he said after the Ducks’ morning skate at the Honda Center. “A couple guys reminded me today there was some money on the board. They don’t forget stuff like that.”

While he’d be happy to win the cash teammates put up for him, he’s even happier to still be playing and to feel no problems with the knee that has bothered him the last few seasons.

“A lot of good things have happened that I can play so many games,” said Selanne, who leads the team in scoring with 39 points in 40 games. “We’re always very thankful for that.”

He said he doesn’t keep track of all the career lists he’s climbing, such as ranking 13th in goals at 651 and 22nd in points with 1,379. But reaching such a high number of games played, he said, is meaningful because it proves his longevity and ability to play at a high level for a long time.

“If you can play so many years that’s a big thing,” he said. “And still having fun. That’s good.

“It has been a more frustrating year than before but that has been my goal, to just come in here every day and try to enjoy and do what you can do and try to enjoy it as much as you can. It’s easier when you win, but still in the morning when I leave from home it’s still a happy place to come. That’s how it should be and I’m very happy it’s so.”

Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said he recalled hockey observers were skeptical after Selanne broke into the NHL with a 76-goal, 132-point performance in 1992-93.

“All us guys that were retired at that point thought he would be a flash in the pan, like, ‘Who’s this guy? The new era of hockey. There’s no checking anymore,’” Boudreau said.

“But he sure has done the test of time. And he deserves everything he gets because he’s a better person than he is a player, and he’s a great player. The goals he’s gotten, from highlights that I’ve seen, from his younger days, I mean, they’re still in a lot of top 10s of best goals ever.”

Boudreau said Selanne’s ability to crisply take a pass without breaking stride or losing control of the puck remains uncanny.

“I told him today, ‘Gordie Howe played until he was in his 50s. I don’t see what your problem is,’” Boudreau said.

Before the morning skate the Ducks recalled goaltender Jeff Deslauriers from Syracuse of the American Hockey League. Deslauriers and Iiro Tarkki were the two goalies on the ice; Jonas Hiller (lower-body injury) did not skate.

“We were hoping he would be able to skate today and back up but it’s pushed back. We’re hoping the same thing can happen for Calgary,” Boudreau said of the team’s game on Thursday. “So it’s still day to day. That’s why we brought Jeff up.”

Deslauriers has played 14 games with Syracuse and is 6-7-0 with a 3.86 goals-against average and .877 save percentage.

“I’ve seen him play some pretty good games. At the beginning of last year he was stated as maybe the savior for Edmonton’s goaltending,” Boudreau said. “I don’t know what happened, but I’ve seen him play great and I’ve seen him play not so great. Let’s hope the former more than the latter.”

The Ducks also assigned forward J.F. Jacques and defenseman Mark Fraser to Syracuse and announced that Syracuse had restructured its coaching staff. Trent Yawney was appointed associate head coach and coach Mark Holick was relegated to an associate coach. Marty Wilford will remain as assistant coach.

Check back later for more coverage at www.latimes.com/sports.

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Photo: Teemu Selanne. Credit: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images.

 

Ducks' Jason Blake returns to different situation

When Ducks left wing Jason Blake was accidentally cut on the left wrist by the skate of San Jose defenseman Brent Burns in the Ducks' third game of the season, the team was on its way to a rare good start. The Ducks won the game in which Blake was injured to improve to 2-1 and won their next two games as well.

Blake, who underwent surgery and rehabilitation on his wrist, will return Wednesday when the Ducks face San Jose at Honda Center, slightly ahead of the schedule projected for his recovery. While he was gone the Ducks' good beginning turned into a grim season.

The Ducks (10-21-6) rank 29th in the NHL and were 19 points out of the final West playoff start before Wednesday’s games. Blake’s absence is a small factor in their struggles—the blame goes to inadequate goaltending, shaky defense and a spiraling lack of confidence—but his competitiveness should inject life into a team that seems to fall apart when the slightest thing goes wrong.

Blake is eager to get back and is expected to be reunited with his old linemates, center Saku Koivu and right wing Teemu Selanne.

“It’s been a tough three months sitting out, not being able to play, not being able to do anything for about six weeks there,” Blake said after the Ducks’ morning skate at Honda Center.

“It’s nice to get back and play hockey and be around the guys. That’s what you miss the most. We’ve got such a great group of guys in here. You just want to hopefully get in there and contribute and do well.”

He said he never imagined the team would struggle so miserably since that good start.

“Obviously there’s been a lot of ups and downs,” he said. “But it’s a new year and we’ve got a lot of hockey left. Strange things can happen. I think the biggest thing for the Ducks is to worry about the Ducks and not worry about anything else. Don’t look at the standings, just play. We’ve got to win hockey games. That’s the bottom line. Even if you were in a playoff spot right now you’ve still got to win games.

“The onus is on the players. We have to make sure that we’re ready to play. You can draw the Xs and O's all you want but you’ve got to go out there and perform.”

Coach Bruce Boudreau, who replaced Randy Carlyle while Blake was on injured reserve, said he planned to give Blake no more than 14 or 15 minutes’ ice time in order to ease Blake back in.

“He’ll give us a boost,” Boudreau said. “You know Jason. He’s full of energy. He’ll play hard. He always does.”

Although Boudreau hasn’t seen Blake play this season, he’s familiar with Blake from their shared time in the Kings’ farm system. Boudreau said he coached Blake for a few weeks in Lowell, Mass., then the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, and remembers him well.

“And I’ve seen him in L.A. when he was younger but he’s a different person than when he was younger,” Boudreau said. “He’s got the same feistiness but I think he’s a little more mature than he was back then.”

Blake, incidentally, said he held no grudge against Burns for the freak accident and wouldn't be seeking any kind of retribution Wednesday.

“Stuff happens in hockey,” Blake said. “I haven’t even thought about Brent. I have the utmost respect for him even before this happened.”

Check back later for more coverage at www.latimes.com/sports

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Photo: The Ducks Jason Blake is held down by Vancouver Canucks Keith Ballard during a game on Oct. 13, 2010. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times.

King update: Drew Doughty on playing for the Sutters

Defenseman Drew Doughty has been down the Sutter road  in his career ... and lived to tell about it.

In 2007, Doughty played for Brent Sutter, the brother of new Kings Coach Darryl Sutter, in the under-20 Super Series, representing Team Canada, against Russia. Doughty had not yet been drafted by the Kings.

"I kind of witnessed what Brent was like for eight games and I’ve heard they have some similarities," Doughty said at Thursday's morning skate in El Segundo. "I know they are going to expect a lot out of us and expect us to work hard every night and that’s exactly what we need out of a coach."

Brent Sutter, currently the Calgary Flames head coach, made that young team skate "the gauntlet," during one practice in Russia, according to one news account, because he was displeased with the team's effort.

“In a way, you are kind of scared of him just because he (Brent) is so intense and he was somewhat intimidating," Doughty said. "But at the same time, off the ice, he was a great guy. Very honest. And I think that’s exactly what Darryl is like."

Darryl Sutter's debut as King coach will be tonight against the Ducks at Staples Center.

"We knew exactly what to expect when he came in and (Kings GM) Dean (Lombardi) made us fully prepared for that," Doughty said. "So right away, it’s a nervous feeling coming in yesterday meeting him for the first time. Everyone was a little nervous. Didn’t know what to expect and now that we’ve got to know him, guys have calmed down a bit and are just ready to get going."

A major assist should come in the form of center Mike Richards, who has been out since Dec. 1 because of a concussion. Richards, who was activated off injured reserve, said he expected to play against the Ducks. The Kings have won twice in the eight games Richards missed, leading to the firing of coach Terry Murray on Dec. 12.

"He's cleared to play," Sutter said. "We'll dress a couple of extra guys in warmups, just to be sure."

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Ducks update: Teemu Selanne night in Winnipeg

How often does the third star of the game, from the opposing team, get a prolonged standing ovation?

Normal rules do not apply when it comes to the Ducks' Teemu Selanne.

All night, the sellout crowd at MTS Centre in Winnipeg was fully engaged in all things Selanne. Selanne on Saturday night returned to play a game in Winnipeg for the first time since Feb. 4, 1996. The Jets ended up trading him to the Ducks three days after that game and the NHL vanished from Manitoba at the end of the season.

The NHL came back this season ... and so did Selanne. Some extremely patient fans, about 30 of them, waited outside the Ducks' hotel in Winnipeg until  2:30 a.m. Saturday because the Ducks got there in the wee hours, having played at Chicago on Friday night. Selanne signed autographs and posed for pictures.

Finally, the big event resulted in twin wins for the giddy fans.

Winnipeg defeated the Ducks, 5-3, and Selanne had two assists. From the beginning, Selanne was cheered every time he touched the puck and every other Duck was roundly booed.

Selanne's wife and four children were among the spectators on hand.

"I think it's great they [could] see where I played the first four years of my career," Selanne said, of his children, in a TV interview after the first period. "I was so happy they are old enough to realize and see and experience my life also. My oldest was born here. So it's a very special place for me. And I'm very happy they are here."

The fans were chanting his name before the game. There was a video tribute to him during the first TV timeout in the opening period and Selanne took a curtain call when he came out as the No. 3 star, waving and blowing a kiss to the crowd.

-- Lisa Dillman, reporting from Los Angeles

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Photo: Ducks forward Teemu Selanne acknowledges the Winnipeg fans during the Ducks' loss to the Jets on Saturday. Credit: Marianne Helm / Getty Images

After long wait, Teemu Selanne returns to Winnipeg

More than 15 years after he left Winnipeg in a trade that shocked him, Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne will get a chance to thank fans in the city he thrilled as a high-scoring rookie.

Selanne became an immediate fan favorite in Winnipeg when he scored 76 goals and 132 points as a first-year player in 1992-93, rookie records that still stand. But the Jets, facing a financial crunch, couldn’t afford to keep him and dealt him to the then-Mighty Ducks on Feb. 7, 1996. His last game in Winnipeg was on Feb. 4, 1996.

The Jets left Winnipeg after that season for Phoenix, where they became known as the Coyotes, and Selanne built Hall of Fame credentials in a standout career that has continued past age 41. The NHL returned to Winnipeg this season after the Atlanta Thrashers were sold and moved north of the border, taking on the old Jets name and providing Selanne a much-welcomed chance to visit again Saturday.

“When I got traded, I didn’t really have a chance to say goodbye to the people and the city. It was the next day I am gone,” he said. “It’s pretty tough when you get traded. Everything is rushing and you have to be gone the next day. That’s why I’m really looking forward to going back there.”

He said he looked for the date as soon as he got this season’s schedule, even before he was sure he’d be physically able to play.

“That was my first NHL team and starting there, I always said hockey is so big thing and the whole city makes the players feel so special and everything,” he said during a conference call with reporters Tuesday.

“It was a dream come true to start my career in Canada and all the memories that I have there are so awesome.”

Duck update: Revamped ticket pricing system

The Ducks announced a handful of changes to their pricing procedures in relation to individual-game tickets. Many other NHL teams are rolling out similar initiatives. 

"Launching a dynamic pricing system will allow us to mirror current market conditions," said Ducks Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tim Ryan in a statement Thursday. "With our 'Dynamic Deal' each week and our 'No Surprise Fees' ticket policy, fans will find great offers and flexible prices for games that work best for them."

For instance, the initial "Dynamic Deal' is in effect starting today for next week's Duck-Coyote game at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday at Honda Center, impacting Plaza Goal Upper East tickets and Terrace Value East tickets.  Savings will range from $9 to $15 per ticket.

For additional information, go to www.anaheimducks.com/dynamic. That site will also let fans register to receive emails about future "Dynamic Deals," and other ticket offers on a weekly basis.

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Photo: Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) celebrates a goal with winger Corey Perry during a game against the Minnesota Wild last week at the Honda Center. Credit: Harry How / Getty Images

Ducks make personnel moves, praise realignment plan

Some news and notes from the Ducks’ morning skate in preparation for Tuesday’s game against the Kings at Honda Center:

--The Ducks made a few personnel moves, activating goaltender Dan Ellis (groin) and winger George Parros (eye surgery) and sending goalie Jeff Deslauriers back to Syracuse of the American Hockey League. In addition, they called up center Nick Bonino from Syracuse and lost forward Ben Maxwell on waivers to Winnipeg.

Coach Bruce Boudreau, still seeking his first win since replacing Randy Carlyle last Thursday, said Parros would be a game-time decision. He also said Bonino wouldn’t play against the Kings, who won the teams’ first two meetings this season.

--Boudreau said he’s still getting up to speed and learning about his players. He held a long meeting after the skate Tuesday but said it was game-specific and geared toward the Kings.

“We are still catching up. [Monday] was sort of catching up and learning what we’re trying to get done here,” he said. “Today is all about L.A. and how to try to beat them.”

--Among the players Boudreau said he was learning about is winger Matt Beleskey, who’s expected to play on a line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.

“When you’re in the East you don’t hear about Matt Beleskey and you don’t hear too much about Andrew Cogliano, even though he’s a Toronto boy and played in Edmonton, where you pretty well hear hockey 24/7,” said Boudreau, who previously coached the Washington Capitals.

“But you don’t hear about those guys and [Maxime] Macenauer, I didn’t know at all who he was until I got here. It’s intriguing to see what they can and can’t do, and that takes a little bit of time.”

--Winger Bobby Ryan said he liked the realignment plan that was approved Monday by the NHL's Board of Governors, a reconfiguration that will divide teams among four conferences — two with eight teams and two with seven teams — and will change the playoff format. He said the new alignment should reduce the travel for many teams, a problem in the West.

“We’re obviously a team that has some tough, challenging road trips. I’m all for it,” he said. “It should be interesting. Maybe a shakeup is just what we need.

“I do like the fact that you get to play every team in a home-and-home series. I think that’s important to establish rivalries and to keep those things fresh in people’s minds. Sometimes games go forgotten when it’s been so long between two teams playing.”

Boudreau also said he likes the new setup.

“I think it will create great rivalries and it makes it an awful lot easier for the teams in the West to play in the same time zone,” he said.

"Same thing with the Central and the Eastern teams. It’s going to be really tough to make the playoffs, but it’s not a walk in the park. This is what sports is all about. I think they did a great job.”

Check back later for coverage of the Kings-Ducks game at www.latimes.com/sports

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