Knutsen Unhappy with Minor Role

Espen Knutsen, a rookie center from Norway, apparently isn’t having much fun playing for the Ducks’ minor-league affiliate in Cincinnati.

He recently told an Oslo newspaper he hates the city and the weather and wonders if he will play again in the NHL. He also said he’s considering a return to Europe.

“The Anaheim management told me the stay in Cincinnati would be short, but I doubt that now,� Knutsen said. “I now see a different side of the club and the sport. I am facing hard times for the first time in my life.�

Of Cincinnati, he said, “[It] isn’t the place where I want to live. The weather is horrible. The city is boring. This isn’t what I came to the U.S. for.

“I am not staying here if I have to continue playing for the farm team for the rest of the season. If I do, I’m leaving and going back to Europe. We’ll see how things develop, but I am sure happy I am a free agent after this season.�

Knutsen, who signed a one-year, $800,000 deal with an option on 1998-99, said he was told he would play in the minors for one to three weeks. He has been with Cincinnati since Nov. 20, recording one goal and four assists in 10 games.

He had three goals and a plus/minus rating of minus-10 in 19 games for the Ducks before his demotion.

“The Ducks are complaining that I haven’t produced enough points, but I haven’t heard of a player yet who can produce from the bench,� Knutsen said. “Both the coach and the assistant coach told me they thought I’d be back in a week to three weeks, but I don’t believe in them anymore. They always say a lot of strange things. How can anyone trust people like that?�