Ducks Have Their Team in a Row for Camp : Hockey: With key players signed, Anaheim can focus on preparing to move up in the Pacific Division standings.

With one black cloud pushed aside by the signing of Paul Kariya, and another looming on the horizon in the form of a possible lockout, the Mighty Ducks assemble today for the opening of training camp at The Pond.

Players will pose for pictures, take physicals and meet new teammates, including Kariya. The taxing stuff won’t begin until 11 a.m. Monday, when the Ducks conduct three, two-hour practice sessions that are open to the public.

Monday marks Kariya’s first appearance on Pond ice, although it’s uncertain which session he will participate in. Kariya, who said he was ecstatic to have signed a three-year contract worth $6.5 million, became a Duck 14 months after he was drafted.

With Coach Ron Wilson, General Manager Jack Ferreira and Assistant General Manager Pierre Gauthier predicting great things from Kariya, there is a heightened sense of excitement in camp.

The team’s skill level, spotty last season, has increased dramatically, and not only because of Kariya.

The Ducks bolstered their defense by acquiring Tom Kurvers from the New York Islanders and Robert Dirk from the Chicago Blackhawks and signing rookies Nikolai Tsulygin, a second-round pick in 1993, and Oleg Tverdovsky, a first-round pick in 1994.

And they signed winger Valeri Karpov, their third-round pick in 1993.

Clearly, Kariya’s signing marks a turning point in the young franchise’s history. This week the Ducks will see whether they have the second coming of Wayne Gretzky or merely a younger Lonnie Loach.

“Some guys can step on the ice and in three shifts they can adjust to the competition,” Ferreira said. “Paul has that type of ability.”

Dismissing the notion the Ducks were determined to hold down costs and were unwilling to part with big bucks to sign an untested rookie, Ferreira said: “We have an obligation to put the best product on the ice.”

Wilson, presumably daydreaming for 14 months about what to do with Kariya once he was in the fold, can’t wait to team the Canadian Olympian with Anatoli Semenov. The third member of the line will most likely be a grinder such as Garry Valk or Todd Ewen.

Wilson is not overly concerned about Kariya’s defensive skills.

“He’s got the puck all the time,” Wilson said, smiling. “Who needs to worry about defense? Isn’t that the logic with Wayne Gretzky?”

Said Gauthier: “He’s going to be a great player.”

Whether the newcomers are enough to send the Ducks to the playoffs in only their second season remains to be seen.

Whether they--and other NHL teams--make it through training camp without being locked out also remains to be seen.

The players have been without a collective bargaining contract since Sept. 15, 1993, and Commissioner Gary Bettman last week received authorization from the league’s Board of Governors to shut down camps if negotiations aren’t proceeding.

Thursday, Bettman began a rollback of training camp benefits, prompting NHL Players Assn. Director Bob Goodenow to say, “It’s a blatant economic attack on the players.”

The regular season is scheduled to begin Oct. 1.

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Here are Wilson’s comments on the Pacific Division:

“Vancouver has the most talent. They may struggle with their success in the playoffs last season.

“Possibly the most improved team is Edmonton. They improved their talent and size.

“The (San Jose) Sharks will struggle to do what they did last year. Signing (Viktor) Kozlov (sixth overall pick in the 1993 draft) adds talent. But others need to step forward.

“The Kings can’t possibly have as bad a season as last year.

“The (Calgary) Flames should be strong again. (Defenseman) Al MacInnis and (goalie) Mike Vernon are gone (to St. Louis and Detroit). They’re relying on really young goaltending and they could stumble.

“I think we’re improved.”

So, is reaching the playoffs a realistic goal for the Ducks, who were 33-46-5 last season?

“I think it is if we can improve 10 points,” Wilson said.