Ducks lose Francois Beauchemin for six months with knee injury
HOCKEY
The Anaheim defenseman suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Friday's loss to Nashville.
The Ducks were dealt injury to insult, as defenseman Francois Beauchemin will be out six months after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a 4-3 overtime loss to Nashville on Friday.
The loss of one of their top four defensemen is a big blow to the Ducks. General Manager Bob Murray will plug the hole for now by calling up defenseman Brett Festerling from minor league Des Moines.
The injury will free up some salary cap room. Beauchemin, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, is making $1.65 million this season. The Ducks, who are about $800,000 under the NHL's $56.7-million cap, will receive credit because Beauchemin will be placed on the long-term injury list.
The new cap room allowed Murray to recall center Bobby Ryan, along with Festerling, in an effort to boost the offense.
Still, the loss of Beauchemin robs the Ducks of a quality defenseman during a time when the team has struggled with consistency. The Ducks won only one of their first six games, then went on a 7-0-1 streak before losing their last three games.
Murray was hoping to add a second line scorer but may now have to focus on acquiring a defenseman first.
Foster is a Times staff writer.
chris.foster@latimes.com
