Titov Gets New Role

Veteran forward German Titov celebrated his 36th birthday Tuesday and his gift from Mighty Duck Coach Bryan Murray was one more chance to find his niche.

“I haven’t seen much from him this year ... but I think players need to be given a role on a team,” Murray said. “German hasn’t deserved that at this point in time. Since training camp, he hasn’t been one of the guys who you say, ‘If I put him there, he’ll fit and it will work with some chemistry.”’

Instead of giving up on Titov, Murray said he plans to move him to the third line and put him at left wing next to center Samual Pahlsson and winger Petr Tenkrat.

“That’s his better position,” Murray said about Titov, who will play more of a checking role on the third line. “Playing down low defensively is a strength that he has. He is smart and he plays on the wall pretty well.”

Titov hasn’t given Anaheim much of anything since he signed as a free agent before the start of last season. He had nine goals and 20 points last season and, in five games this season, hasn’t scored a point and has attempted only two shots on goal. In 1995-96, he had 28 goals and 67 points for the Calgary Flames.

“I know 10 goals is not good for me. I can score more,” said Titov, who played seven seasons in the Soviet National League.

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Dan Bylsma, who has played most of his seven-year career as a winger, might play center tonight if Marc Chouinard is unable to play because of a right knee injury. Chouinard did not practice Tuesday. Murray said he is day to day.

TONIGHT

vs. Boston, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Arrowhead Pond.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Ducks 2-4-0-0, Bruins 3-2-1-0.

Record vs. Bruins--0-1-0-0.

Update--Boston beat the Mighty Ducks in the season opener. Winger Bill Guerin will be back in the lineup for the Bruins after serving a three-game league suspension.