Russian Ducks update.

Evgeny Artyukhin did an interview (in Russian) with RussianHockeyFans.com. Much like a New Jersey-based reporter asking Scott Niedermayer if he could possibly join the Devils this season,  this KHL-slanted interview yields some interesting answers. But Artyukhin makes it clear he’s not jumping ship any time soon: “I’m going to spend the rest of this season in the NHL fullfilling my contract, which expires this summer. And after it I will be open for offers, if I get any — I’m ready to get in talks.”

Also, 2009 draft pick Igor Bobkov began play for the Russian Junior Selects in Victoria last night, stopping 40 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Western Hockey League all-stars. Here’s the recap from the Victoria Times-Colonist:

Six-foot-four Russian goalkeeper Igor Bobkov, a 2009 Anaheim Ducks third-round draft pick from Metallurg Magnitogorsk, was outstanding in holding the WHL at bay for as long as he could.

The WHL, which held a glaring territorial advantage, finally broke through when Levko Koper, a seventh-round draft pick of the Atlanta Thrashers, snapped a wrist shot past Bobkov at 1:00 of the third period to make it 1-0.

“He [Bobkov] played great the whole game but we kept on doing what we were doing,” said Koper, who plays for the Spokane Chiefs.

The latest on the Ducks’ injuries, and how they’re affecting the lineup.

Petteri Nokelainen probably summed it up best.


“I play with whoever they put me out to play with,” he said, “Right now it looks like we’re playing with everybody right now, especially when we’re two guys short in the middle.”

Those two guys — centers Saku Koivu and Ryan Carter — didn’t take part in a full practice Tuesday with their teammates. Koivu at least attempted to start, after skating for a half-hour on his own, but lasted about 15 minutes before walking off the ice. Carter, who bruised his foot in Columbus when it absorbed a teammate’s shot in practice, didn’t skate at all.

Continue reading “The latest on the Ducks’ injuries, and how they’re affecting the lineup.” »

Red Wings claim Drew Miller.

Drew Miller will be joining ex-Ducks Brad May and Todd Bertuzzi in Detroit, as the Red Wings have claimed the forward off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning.


The former Michigan State standout had not found the scoresheet in 14 games since being traded by the Ducks for Evgeny Artyukhin in August. The Red Wings were 12th in the waiver priority order, which reverted to this year’s record on Nov. 1; the Ducks were fifth.

NHL suspends Artyukhin three games.

Ducks right wing Evgeny Artyukhin has been suspended for three games without pay by the NHL as the result of a slew-footing incident Wednesday night against Dallas Stars defenseman Matt Niskanen, who was injured on the play. The incident occurred at 4:23 of the second period of Dallas’ 4-2 win. No penalty was assessed on the play.

Artyukhin, who was suspended for two games Jan. 19, 2009, is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Accordingly, Artyukhin forfeits $34,756.11 in salary based on the number of games (82) in a season, rather than the number of days (193). The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Artyukhin will miss Saturday’s game against Columbus, Oct. 26 against Toronto and Oct. 30 against Vancouver. He will be eligible to return Oct. 31 at Phoenix.

According to Rule 52.1 of the official NHL rulebook, slew-footing is the act of a player or goalkeeper using his leg or foot to knock or kick an opponent’s feet from under him, or pushes an opponent’s upper body backward with an arm or elbow, and at the same time with a forward motion of his leg, knocks or kicks the opponent’s feet from under him, causing him to fall violently to the ice.

Here is the video of the play. Because of the angle, and the proximity of the play to the boards, you can’t actually see the players’ feet make contact on the ice. It looks more like a “slew-kneeing,” which probably falls under the definition of a “leg or foot.”
Continue reading “NHL suspends Artyukhin three games.” »