Ryan’s still learning the ropes

There are times when he threads a perfect pass up ice or bulldozes a defender in the offensive zone. And there are times when he looks out of place or can’t keep up with the speedsters who zoom by him.

It’s all part of the education of the Ducks’ Bobby Ryan.

With Sidney Crosby now a superstar and Jack Johnson learning the ropes with the Kings, the Ducks have patiently waited for 20-year-old Ryan to grasp the NHL learning curve and prove they were right to draft him second overall in 2005, behind Crosby and ahead of Johnson.

The wait could soon be over. The forward has three goals and five points in 12 games, but it’s the way he has played since being recalled from Portland, the Ducks’ American Hockey League affiliate.

“I think when he was first here, he was struggling to keep up,” Coach Randy Carlyle said. “And I don’t know if that’s completely eliminated but he seems more comfortable with the pace of the game.

“Bobby’s an offensive player and he’s got to be strong with the puck down low. We’re seeing more of that in situations.”

Ryan said his time in the AHL helped because now he has a better grasp of the faster pace than when he played at the junior level in Canada.

“Training camp is training camp and I made it out of there,” Ryan said. “But it didn’t take long for me to be sent down. This time . . . I’m trying to make the best of it.

“Every game is another opportunity for me to let somebody down and find my way back to Portland. It’s up to me not to do that.”

Linemate Doug Weight has taken Ryan under his wing, just as Mark Messier and others did for him when he came up with the New York Rangers. The key, Weight said, is that Ryan is willing to learn.

“There’s a fine line between being nervous and being afraid,” Weight said. “He’s on one of the top two lines and is expected to score. So he’s got to take the bull by the horns and get the puck and demand the puck. Get to the net and play with an edge.

“He’s finding that in his game and he’s excited about it.”

Another youngster the Ducks hope will break out is center Ryan Carter. Playing mostly six minutes a game on the fourth line, he filled in for injured Samuel Pahlsson on the checking line Wednesday and was very effective, particularly in killing penalties and inside the faceoff circle.

“I think I needed to prove something to myself and the coaching staff and management,” said Carter, who won 10 of 13 faceoffs and played over 13 minutes. “Hopefully I did that.”

TONIGHT

vs. Chicago, 7, FSN Prime Ticket

Site -- Honda Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 20-17-5, Blackhawks 19-17-3.

Record vs. Blackhawks -- 1-0-0.

Update -- The Ducks sent winger Drew Miller to Portland to open up a spot for Brandon Bochenski, who was acquired from Boston for Shane Hnidy. Bochenski made it to Anaheim in time to skate after practice. Carlyle said winger Brad May, out with a broken foot, is expected to begin skating early next week.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.

eric.stephens@latimes.com