With Cloutier out, Garon bids for job

Mathieu Garon will get an extended chance to establish himself as the Kings’ No. 1 goaltender, as Dan Cloutier will be out at least another week, and possibly longer.

Cloutier has undergone tests on his knee and hip to determine the extent of damage. Neither is expected to require surgery, but the knee will require another seven to 10 days to heal, General Manager Dean Lombardi said. Whether Cloutier’s shoulder problem is solved in that time is to be seen.

The hip injury “is enough that he has been compensating and because of it the knee is giving him problems,” Lombardi said.

Lombardi said that the labrum in Cloutier’s hip was not torn, but there has been “wear and tear.” Cloutier will seek at least one more medical opinion to “make sure.”

Cloutier, who received a two-year, $6.2-million contract extension in September, ranks last in goals-against average (3.98) and save percentage (8.60) among 43 goaltenders who have played at least 13 games.

His physical problems are only part of the concerns, Lombardi said.

“Let’s get the guy totally healthy, then work on the mental part, which is still a huge issue,” Lombardi said. “How guys deal with things mentally is as important as how they deal with things physically. We get the physical part cleaned up, then get his head together, and he can be a capable guy as he always has been.”

Lombardi didn’t rule out sending Cloutier to minor league Manchester (N.H.) as part of that process but said that was “premature.”

Garon, meanwhile, scratched out of the Kings’ 7-4 victory against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, his first game in a month after suffering a groin injury Nov. 29. Garon’s numbers are middle-of-the-pack, but are considerably better than Cloutier’s -- 2.75 goals-against average and 9.02 save-percentage.

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The Vancouver Canucks claimed forward Jeff Cowan, put on waivers Thursday.

chris.foster@latimes.com