Holmqvist Is Thinking Big

Michael Holmqvist is playing catch-up, and seems to be gaining ground.

Holmqvist, the Mighty Ducks’ first-round pick in 1997, finally has taken that baby step across the Atlantic to North America. Now comes the leap, for which he has the faith. Now he must prove that he’s merely a late bloomer and not a weed from that draft.

“This is a big challenge for me,” Holmqvist, 24, said. “I have to take the chance right now. This is the time to [come] over. I have been in Europe for six years [since the draft]. I think it is time to try something new.”

The last six seasons, playing in his native Sweden and Finland, have left Holmqvist as an enigma around the Duck offices.

When Bryan Murray took over as general manager in the spring of 2002, he brought Holmqvist over for rookie camp and was so impressed with the 6-foot-3, 212-pound center that he signed him in April.

“We saw last year that he was a real fast skater and handled the puck well,” Murray said. “I think he is going to be a good NHL player, but it will depend how he responds to the North American style of play.”

Holmqvist, who set career highs with 15 goals and 40 points with TPS Turku last season, has responded well.

“I just like that he can skate and he’s a physical guy and a puck possession guy,” Coach Mike Babcock said.

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Petr Sykora, who ended his holdout Saturday, participated in an intrasquad scrimmage Monday. He skated on Sergei Fedorov’s line.

“I felt comfortable in the scrimmage,” said Sykora, who missed five days of skating during contract negotiations. “Trust me on this, guys, it’s not tough to get used to playing with a guy like Sergei Fedorov.”

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Steve Rucchin, recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, worked out with the team during drills. He said he expected to be back full time by the weekend.... The Ducks and Kings will play a minor league game Thursday at 4 p.m. at Staples Center before the regularly scheduled exhibition game, which begins at 7:30.