ANAHEIM — Just another sign of an Anaheim team that could make a deep run this year, is the list of defencemen who aren’t even dressing. They have at least three players — maybe four — who would be in Calgary’s top six defencemen.
James Wisniewski heads that list, acquired at the trade deadline from Columbus for Rene Bourque and Swedish prospect William Karlsson. The Ducks also sent Columbus a second round pick in 2015, and received a third-rounder back.
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Wisniewski would be Anaheim’s seventh defenceman, followed by prospect Josh Manson, then ex-Leaf Korbinian Holzer. And don’t forget WHL Defenceman of the Year candidate Shea Theodore, the first-rounder who is also in town.
“I don’t know if it’s the true formula (for playoff success),” said Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau. “But what I do know is that it could be. The last thing you want is to be searching for a defenceman late.”
Then there is Sheldon Souray, whose chronic wrist problems cost him another season. At one point it pained Souray just to turn the key and start his car, and he is almost certainly destined for retirement when his contract expires this summer. Reporters who follow the Ducks team haven’t seen Souray around the rink for months.
From Omsk, with love
Karri Ramo starts tonight in what will be the Finn’s first Stanley Cup Playoffs start. He’s been around the NHL, off and on since he joined Tampa in 2006, before he split for a few seasons in the KHL with Omsk. Now he’s back, with the Flames’ fortunes depending on his performance tonight.
“It’s a great opportunity, and a big game for the whole team,” said Ramo. “I’ve been part of this team for two years now. It’s a great feeling.”
His folks and family will be watching at home. “It’s early in the morning, probably really good for them to wake up in the morning and watch the game.”
Ramo is another example a guy Flames head coach Bob Hartley has used to perfection this season, every time Jonas Hiller has a hiccup in his game. Hartley invoked some of the game’s great names, pumping Ramo’s tires in preparation for his Game 2 start.
“There are lots of goalies that made a name for themselves starting in the playoffs,” Hartley said. “ I remember as a kid, Ken Dryden, Andy Moog, Patrick Roy… So many great names came out right from the playoffs. You need to start somewhere.”
What quiet room?
Michael Ferland’s presence in the Flames lineup tonight — should be actually play — will have the concussion lobby up in arms. He appeared to be woozy in Game 1, left the game in Period 1, and did not skate but rode the stationary bike between games.
He was back on the practice ice Sunday for the morning skate, and vowing to play in Game 2.
“I’ve still got more to give. I’m looking forward to tonight,” Ferland said Sunday morning. “I’m going to do what I’ve done all playoffs. I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
Just in case, big German David Wolf took the morning skate as well. The Flames minor league winger will only play, we suspect, if Ferland cannot.
Hartley said both Ferland and Hudler, who has some kind of an arm issue that has inhibited his shooting skills during practice, should each play.
“We told you that we expected them to play, and they will probably play.”
