Festerling down, Salcido up.
In somewhat of a surprise move, the Ducks brought up Hermosa Beach native Brian Salcido from Iowa and sent defenseman Brett Festerling back to the AHL.
Festerling [stats here] had seemingly established himself in the Ducks' defensive rotation, playing 37 of a possible 41 games since Francois Beauchemin went down in November. Festerling is also considered a defensive-minded blueliner, while Salcido [stats here] was the Iowa Chops' second-leading scorer at the time of his recall (seven goals, 32 points in 54 games). Clearly, the hope is for more offense and better puck-moving from the back end, areas of proficiency for the Ducks' next opponent.
Salcido has never played in an NHL game. The Chops were on their way from Chicago to Houston; instead he'll fly straight to Detroit to make his NHL debut Friday against the Red Wings.
No pressure, kid.
About J.P.
J.P. Hoornstra has been covering the Anaheim Ducks since 2007. Eight months after the University of Wisconsin won its third NCAA hockey championship, he was born in a frigid Madison winter. He betrayed his blue-blooded beginnings by graduating from UCLA in 2003, and welcomes any and all dialogue on the finer points of hockey.
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