So Far, So Good for Winger McInnis

The Ducks are counting on free-agent forward German Titov to bolster their second line. Titov has been a consistent 50-point scorer in his career.

But much of the line’s success also will be determined by winger Marty McInnis’ ability to return to form after undergoing off-season abdominal surgery. McInnis and Titov played together in Calgary several years ago and the Ducks hope they click again.

“I have a lot of expectations of myself,” said McInnis, whose injury limited him to 10 goals and 28 points in 62 games last season.

McInnis wouldn’t come out and say it, but this could be a pivotal season for him, his last before possibly becoming an unrestricted free agent.

“I don’t like to think about it,” he said. “All I can control is what happens on the ice. It’s in everybody’s best interest if I have a good year.”

McInnis showed no signs of the injury during the first two days of training camp, both of which were spent on lines with Titov. “It feels good,” he said. “I don’t feel it when I’m skating. Before, I would feel it every stride.”

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Goalie James Jensen stands out from all the other Ducks in camp. Mostly because he wears bright orange and yellow leg pads.

But there’s more to Jensen’s story. He’s in camp because the Ducks needed an extra goalie for their practice sessions. He also is the only player among the 42 in camp who is a veteran of the made-for-cable TV beach hockey league, held this summer next to the Huntington Beach Pier.

“The guys skate together before camp starts and they were just raving about him,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said. “When guys like [Paul] Kariya and [Steve] Rucchin talk about him, you would be crazy not to listen. He’s a very hard-working guy.”