Veterans Headed for Waiver Wire

Correcting mistakes was the Mighty Ducks’ order of business Monday, as team officials prepared to make veterans Jason York, German Titov and Denny Lambert available for Friday’s NHL waiver draft.

They were identified early in training camp as expendable, when they were put in the minor league practice group after the first week. The anticipated moves demonstrate a change in philosophy for the penny-pinching Ducks, who appear willing to absorb the contracts of the three players. York is owed $4 million over the next two seasons. Titov will make $1.5 million and Lambert $550,000 this season.

If they are not claimed Friday, the Ducks can assign one or more to minor league Cincinnati. General Manager Bryan Murray said he tried to trade the three, but found no takers. He has given their agents permission to pursue deals.

“We have people here who have gone by them at this time,� Murray said. “We finished 13th in [the Western Conference] and we have to do something. We have to show the players that we want to have a contending team.�

York and Titov were to have helped the Ducks become contenders. Both were signed to multimillion-dollar contracts as free agents by former general manager Pierre Gauthier, Titov in 2000 and York in 2001. Neither lived up to expectations.

Lambert, on the other hand, played his enforcer role well last season. But the Ducks have decided that Kevin Sawyer can fill that spot by himself this season.

“I have really mixed feelings,� Sawyer said. “These are friends and teammates. This puts a little pressure on me to do my job every night. But at the same time, they are showing confidence in me.�

Lambert played in only two exhibition games, and was ejected at the start of one. Titov played in one, York in three, including the Ducks’ 7-4 loss to the Kings on Sunday. He was on the ice for four King goals and was out of position on two.

“It’s tough, because they are all good friends,� team captain Paul Kariya said. “But this is the first [Duck] camp I can remember where there are a lot of guys fighting for spots. If a player is not doing his job, someone is going to jump in and do it.�

The moves increase the opportunities for younger players who have been impressive during camp. Defenseman Kurt Sauer and forwards Alexei Smirnov and Stanislav Chistov all could make the roster. Sauer, in particular, has been impressive, even though he is straight out of juniors.

“We need to energize this franchise a little bit,� Murray said.

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The Ducks play an exhibition at Minnesota tonight. Ilya Bryzgalov, who will probably be sent to Cincinnati, will start in goal. Forward Joffrey Lupul, ticketed for another year of juniors, will get his second start.... The Ducks released tryout goalie Marc Magliarditi on Monday.