Versatility key to Vermette’s success
Team has put the player in a ‘bunch’ of situations and he always delivers.
Antoine Vermette allowed himself a sliver of satisfaction when asked about playing his former team, although replays belie his modesty.
There was the grin on his face upon his second-period goal, a bomb of a slap shot that seemed to unleash some pent-up energy. Was there extra motivation against the Arizona Coyotes?
“A little bit,” Vermette said.
He then steered attention away from himself, as is his personality.
Generous focus on Vermette is appropriate, though, because he’s been a quiet, movable beast with the Ducks.
His two-point game Friday was his first regular-season game against the Coyotes since Arizona bought out his contract last season in a shift in philosophy to go younger. Vermette, 34, spent at least parts of the last five seasons with the Coyotes. He carries no ill will.
“That’s behind us, and I’m really happy [here],” he said.
That’s because his start with the Ducks is what both sides wished for since he signed with Anaheim six weeks into free agency.
Vermette has played on three lines, including a turn on the top line. He is among the NHL leaders in faceoff win percentage and has points in four of six games.
“He can play up and down in your lineup, and he’s done all of those things for us,” Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said. “He’s been put in a bunch of different situations, and he’s responded.”
Vermette said he felt comfortable in Anaheim from the start, and that was clear off the ice Saturday when teammates did some walk-by ribbing of him as he talked to reporters.
He’s found a good place in a roundabout way as he gets reminders of his past, such as Arizona.
Next week, Vermette will play at Columbus, where he spent three-plus seasons. He certainly took note of the 10-0 win the Blue Jackets posted against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday, which meant the arena entertainment crew fired its trademark cannon 10 times.
“They were running out of gunpowder,” Vermette said.
Injury updates
Ryan Getzlaf and Nick Ritchie practiced and said they will reevaluate themselves in the morning. Both have missed the last two games with upper-body injuries. Getzlaf felt better but is also cautious this early in the season.
“We have to, at this time, try and be smart about things and not push things over the limit and [be] forced into longer absences down the road,” he said.
Ritchie said he’s continued some concussion protocol in his recovery from an illegal boarding by Kings defenseman Tom Gilbert, suspended three games.
“I don’t think there was any intent, Ritchie said. “He didn’t try and kill me or anything. He’s not really that kind of a player. But I guess it was a little bit of a dangerous play ... more than dirty.”
DUCKS TONIGHT VS. CALGARY When: 6:30 On the air: TV: Prime; Radio: 830
Update: The Ducks have won 23 consecutive regularseason home games against the Flames, dating to 2004. That matches the longest home winning streak against an opponent in NHL history, by the Philadelphia Flyers against the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1980 to 1987.