Play of Rookie Havelid as Good as Advertised

The Ducks took another long look at rookie defenseman Niclas Havelid in Friday’s exhibition game against the Kings at the Arrowhead Pond.

Coach Craig Hartsburg has a pretty good idea of Havelid’s strengths and weaknesses by now, and he believes the 26-year-old from Sweden will fit into the lineup just fine when the regular season begins Oct. 2.

That’s not to say Havelid has locked up one of the top six defensive spots, but Hartsburg says he definitely will be on the roster to start the season.

“He’s still learning the game,” Hartsburg said of Havelid, selected in the third round (83rd overall) of the 1999 draft. “He’ll be fine. We think he’s done a good job so far.”

The Ducks normally wouldn’t toss a rookie into NHL action so quickly, but Havelid has plenty of international experience on Swedish national teams.

Perhaps the biggest adjustment Havelid has had to make is skating and passing the puck at a faster clip because of the smaller NHL ice surface.

In his debut last week against San Jose, Havelid appeared tentative and was roughed up at times by the physical Sharks. He was more relaxed in subsequent games against Colorado and San Jose.

Friday, Hartsburg paired Havelid with fellow Swede Fredrik Olausson. It would seem to be a natural teaming, but Hartsburg made it clear he’s simply experimenting as training camp continues.

“The more he plays, the better he’ll get,” Hartsburg said.

So far, Havelid has performed just as advertised.

“The scouts said he’s a great skater and he is,” Hartsburg said. “Our scouts pretty much had him pegged. There really haven’t been any surprises with him. We’re pleased with him. He’s one of eight defensemen we’re going to have here [to start the season].

“Everyone is competing for ice time.”

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Monday’s rematch against the Kings at the Great Western Forum is the target date for defenseman Pascal Trepanier’s first game since tearing up his knee while playing basketball on a day off last April.

It was a tough blow for Trepanier and the Ducks, happening with only six games left in the regular season.

“Until he hurt his knee he was going to be one of our six defensemen for the playoffs,” Hartsburg said.

Instead of battling the Detroit Red Wings in the postseason, Trepanier underwent reconstructive surgery on his right knee. That was followed by several months of rehab exercises.

Trepanier said he has grown accustomed to a lightweight knee brace he will wear this season.

“The plan is to start skating without it next summer,” said Trepanier, who had two goals and six points in 45 games last season.