Ducks Look for Trades, Not Free Agents

ANAHEIM — Wayne Gretzky signed with the New York Rangers. Phil Housley signed with Washington. Bernie Nicholls signed with San Jose.

The Mighty Ducks have stayed on the sidelines during the NHL’s summer free-agent sweepstakes, but there’s apparently a good reason why.

General Manager Jack Ferreira said Wednesday he prefers to make a trade than sign an expensive free agent. He said he’s working on two deals but would not get specific.

“What I have going right now is better [than a free-agent signing],” he said.

The Ducks, interested in acquiring a proven center and perhaps a quality defenseman, are willing to part with draft picks.

They are rumored to be looking into a deal for center Alexei Zhamnov of the Phoenix Coyotes. Zhamnov is a Group II free agent, which means the Coyotes have the right to match any offer.

“We’ve still got to upgrade in the defense,” Ferreira said. “We played better there down the stretch last season, but we still had to rebuild the defense again.”

The Ducks don’t expect to re-sign veteran defenseman Randy Ladouceur, 36, their captain.

In other news:

* Charlie Simmer, radio commentator for three seasons, has resigned to take a job as TV announcer with the Phoenix Coyotes.

* The Ducks agreed to terms with left wing Mike Leclerc, their third-round pick in the 1995 draft. Leclerc had 58 goals and 53 assists for Brandon of the Western Hockey League this past season.

* The team announced working agreements with the Long Beach Ice Dogs and Fort Wayne Komets.