Ducks right wing Jakob Silfverberg picked to play in All-Star Game
IRVINE — The Ducks asked Jakob Silfverberg to play a specific role for five seasons after they acquired him in a trade, and he became very, very good at it. Then they asked him to play a different role last season, and he became very, very good at that one, too.
Monday, the NHL took notice and selected the Ducks’ versatile right wing to play in the All-Star Game on Jan. 25 in St. Louis. He called it “a great honor” and “a big confidence boost” to be picked to join the league’s best and most accomplished players for their annual winter fandango.
Above all, it would seem to be a selection rooted in an appreciation for all Silfverberg has done and continues to do for the Ducks, all the little plays he makes on both sides of the puck that might otherwise go unnoticed in the grander scheme of things.
Plus, Silfverberg was the Ducks’ leading scorer with 13 goals and 26 points in 38 games going into Tuesday’s game against the Golden Knights in Las Vegas, on pace to eclipse the career-high of 24 goals he scored last season and the 49 points he recorded in 2016-17.
“I feel like I’m not having a breakout year, but a pretty decent year,” Silfverberg said. “I feel like I’m a pretty big part of this team, and getting the recognition from people outside the team, it’s a big confidence boost and I’m very honored. I’m probably not the flashiest player out there, but I feel like I play hard and getting recognition for that is always nice, too.”
Silfverberg, 29, spent the better part of his first five seasons with the Ducks, after they sent Bobby Ryan to the Ottawa Senators to get him, as a defensive specialist. He teamed with left wing Andrew Cogliano and center Ryan Kesler to form a superb shutdown line.
Their successful union came to an abrupt end, however.
General Manager Bob Murray began his roster overhaul by trading Cogliano to the Dallas Stars last Jan. 14 in exchange for center Devin Shore. Kesler then underwent career-threatening hip surgery during the offseason. In between, Silfverberg was given new marching orders: score more and lead more.
By the end of the 2018-19 season, Silfverberg was the Ducks’ leader with 24 goals and second with 43 points. He also earned a five-year, $26.25-million contract extension last March 1 that will keep him in a Ducks uniform through the 2023-24 season.
“He’s just been a great, great leader here,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “He’s really stepped that up this year. He’s been incredible with all of our players here, young and our vets. He certainly leads by example every day in practice and every day in the weight room.“He has enough skill, but for me, it’s his will every day. Whether it’s his will to work in practice, his will to work in games or his will to have a positive effect and influence on others for their behalf, not his own. He’s got a great mind for the game, that’s for sure.
“Not only can he make a play, but whatever line we put him on he makes it better on both sides of the puck. With him, we certainly don’t want him to be a one-trick pony. We want ‘Silfvy’ to score. We want him to prevent goals, as well. He’s just accepted his role on his team incredibly well.”
SPRONG RECALLED
The Ducks recalled right wing Daniel Sprong from their AHL team in San Diego. With left wing Rickard Rakell sidelined by an upper-body injury, the Ducks added an extra forward. They were at the minimum of 12 for Sunday’s overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
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