The Anaheim Mighty Ducks have known for 10 years that Steve Rucchin is consistent, reliable and a team player. That's why he's the team captain.

The National Hockey League Players' Association is finding out the same thing.

Some NHL players are starting to bristle at the NHL lockout, running off at the mouth and hinting they wouldn't mind a salary cap as long as it got them back on the ice.

Not Rucchin. He's consistent, reasonable and reliable in his support of the association as the lockout works through its seventh week.

That's not to say he's not willing to listen to possible solutions but he has a distinct take on the proceedings.

"The owners should be treating us like partners, looking for our help," said Rucchin. "The owners are the ones who paid the salaries. They are asking us to help them control themselves. Maybe we can accept a higher salary cap but they don't want any kind of free market."

Rucchin has been in London for four weeks, skating with the Western Mustangs, the team he played for before being signed by Anaheim. Having a kid make it from Canadian university ranks to the NHL is a rarity now, 10 years ago it was unheard of. Rucchin dropped the puck before the Mustangs' home opener last night against Waterloo, a 4-1 Western win.

He doesn't see much hope for a solution and while Rucchin isn't quite ready to head to Europe like many of his brethren, there may come a time when he's ready to go as well.

That storyline is simple. The more NHL players who head to Europe, the more the criticism about greedy NHL players taking hockey jobs from regular stiffs who normally play in Europe.

"I can understand people feeling that," he said. "But this is a lockout. We aren't striking. Players have to play somewhere, they have to stay in shape. People are saying you're playing for $200,000 in Europe yet you want millions in the NHL.

"It's not about that. It's about playing somewhere. Young players are hearing general managers say that when this is over, young players better be ready to play. . . . Careers are short. You can't afford to take a year, year and a half off.

"I have the opportunity to go to Europe but we'll see. I may have to go over as well."

A year and a half?

"I just don't see any movement," said Rucchin.

Rucchin is 33. He has 153 goals and 279 assists. He knows the importance of staying in shape. That's why he skating with the Mustangs. Detroit Red Wings Jason Williams and Minnesota Wild Alex Henry are also skating with the Mustangs

"It's great having guys like that here," said Mustang assistant coach Barry Martinelli. "It shows the other guys what they have to do. We do a drill and someone misses a pass and they skate away. Guys like Williams and Rucchin miss a pass and they go to the corner to get the puck. The drill isn't finished until we blow the whistle. They know what it's about."

Rucchin isn't sure what the next little while holds for him. Like every player he desperately wants to play but not without a fair settlement.

"We aren't striking for more money. This is out of our hands," said Rucchin. "The owners have control of the situation. What if salaries come down? And they have come down a little. That's not something we can control. We want to find solutions but they want us to help them police themselves."

It's a point that's often overlooked. These are the rules agreed to by the owners. The salaries they pay are salaries owners have approved through their management teams.

Yet the majority of fans have taken the side of the owners against the players.

"We know we're fortunate and privileged to be able to play this game and to make the money we make," said Rucchin. "But we aren't looking for anymore money. We're just looking for a fair negotiation."

And that doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime soon.