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Wednesday, November 17, 1999
Ledyard to rescue?
Laukkanen injury might force Sens to sign blueliner
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Senators already have enough pain and suffering on their blue line, but they might have been hit with some more yesterday.
While it looked innocent during a drill, defenceman Janne Laukkanen could have become the Senators' latest casualty when he left a light workout at the Corel Centre complaining about a pulled muscle in his back.
Already without veterans Sami Salo and Igor Kravchuk along with Grand Rapids callup Erich Goldmann, the Senators could be forced to sign veteran Grant Ledyard today if Laukkanen can't suit up.
Ledyard, 37, in Ottawa on a pro tryout, made the trip here with the team last night and could make his debut against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena.
"I'm hoping I can play," said Laukkanen. "We'll have to wait and see until (today)."
DEAL DISCUSSED
Ledyard confirmed there were discussions taking place between agent Larry Rausch and GM Marshall Johnston, but wasn't completely sure where things stood.
The Senators' only other option is to call up defenceman John Gruden from the minors. He resumed playing on the weekend after missing the last two months because of a broken wrist and could be available.
"I don't know what direction we're going to go in," said Ottawa coach Jacques Martin. "I'm not sure what's happening with (Ledyard and Gruden) because those are not decisions that are made by me."
Even without their regulars, though, the Senators have done a stellar job. Seventh defenceman Patrick Traverse has looked comfortable in his role, while IHL callup Karel Rachunek is still feeling his way around.
With Kravchuk and Salo out, most of the workload has fallen on veterans Jason York and Wade Redden. Both have done great work and were a key in shutting down Anaheim's Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya.
"All those defencemen were playing well before, and I think there was a bit of an adjustment period when Kravchuk and Salo got hurt," said goaltender Ron Tugnutt. "But I think they've done an outstanding job.
"You look at the roles those guys are being asked to play and you know it's working well. Patrick Traverse has gone from being a seventh defenceman to playing on the power play and he hasn't looked out of place. The work they've done has been excellent."
Even Martin has been pleased with the performance he's gotten from the blue line. After losing two veterans, the team could have easily had an excuse for not playing well.
"They've done a good job," said Martin.
"They're making things happen out there and they're doing a good job at our end of the ice. You look at the job that York and Redden did on Selanne and Kariya. That's the result of a good work ethic."
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