IRVINE – The Ducks are in a holding pattern, still waiting on test results for injured defenseman Jamie Drysdale.
Drysdale sustained an upper-body injury – taking a hit from the Golden Knights’ William Carrier behind Anaheim’s net – in the second period of the Ducks’ 4-0 loss at Vegas on Friday afternoon. So it could ultimately be a costly game in more ways than one for Anaheim, which is ranked last in the NHL (1-6-1) and on a seven-game winless streak.
The 20-year-old defenseman is one of the more promising pieces of a rebuilding Ducks team and this season, in particular, is considered vital to his development.
“You definitely feel for him,” said defenseman Cam Fowler. “Injuries are part of the game and over the course of time you get a little numb to them. Obviously we’re all thinking of him. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious and we can get him back soon.”
In Drysdale’s absence at practice, the Ducks moved veteran defenseman Dmitry Kulikov to the right side, putting him with Fowler on Saturday at Great Park Ice. Another pair featured Simon Benoit with John Klingberg.
The 24-year-old Benoit has played in four games this season, including Friday at Vegas when the Ducks opted for an 11-forward, seven-defenseman alignment. Kulikov is experienced at playing on both sides and he is not the only defenseman with that sort of versatility.
“If they do ask me to play on the right side, I’ll be more than happy to play on the right side,” said Benoit, a left-shot defenseman.
On the Ducks’ recent five-game trip, Benoit got into the lineup after impressing Ducks coach Dallas Eakins and the staff with his attitude and how hard he worked at practice.
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“I’m fighting for a spot,” Benoit said. “I’m trying to be in the lineup every night. For me, I’m just working hard and trying to make my mark on the ice.”
Carrick update
Forward Sam Carrick is getting closer to returning to the lineup after a long, arduous rehabilitation following hip surgery in Toronto in May, repairing a torn labrum. This past week he has finally been able to engage in contact in practice. Carrick has 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists) in 111 career NHL games.
“Very close,” he said on Saturday, of returning. “That’s positive. It’s a very long, tedious recovery. I’m excited to be close.”