MIGHTY DUCK NOTEBOOK / ROBYN NORWOOD : It’s Early, but Kilger Definitely Has the Look

The Mighty Ducks reported for their annual physicals Sunday and first-round draft pick Chad Kilger aced the eye test--which has nothing to do with his vision.

What it means is Kilger looks ready to play in the NHL, although he won’t turn 19 until Nov. 27.

Listed at 6 feet 4 and 215 pounds after the Ducks selected him with the fourth pick overall in July, Kilger gauges he has grown a half-inch and gained 10 pounds.

“He’s a specimen,” said Coach Ron Wilson, who is trying to be faithful to the bring-him-along slowly mantra. “You don’t want to put too much burden on Chad Kilger, he hasn’t even made our team yet. But I’m not afraid to use young players.”

Proof of Kilger’s readiness will have to come on the ice.

“I’ve got him on that Special K line--[Paul] Kariya, Kilger and [Todd] Krygier,” Wilson said. “We want to see how Chad responds playing with those guys.”

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Summer progress: David McNab, director of player personnel, believes Kilger might be ready, especially after watching him play during a development camp for the Canadian national junior team last month in Montreal.

“He’s awfully close,” McNab said. “There were about 20 first-rounders from the past two years there. I thought he was the best player, but I think he was also the consensus best player, listening to what other people and writers were saying.

“He played pretty much the same way I’ve seen him play before . . . “

Physical immaturity is often the biggest obstacle for young players hoping to make it in the NHL.

“Any 18-year-old, the first question is whether they’re physically ready,” McNab said. “He’s already much physically stronger than he was even six months ago.

“When you’re that size and you’re strong, and when your best qualities are your skating and your skills, anything you don’t have you can improve.”

Kilger is taking a calm approach. “I prepared well this summer,” said Kilger, “and worked really hard so I could come here and try to make this team.”

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Make Ron Wilson G.M. and . . .: Everybody from reporters to golf partners is asking Wilson why the Ducks didn’t sign a prominent free agent or make a big trade this summer, even though the team did inquire about Luc Robitaille and Joel Otto.

“If you’re golfing with somebody, they’ll say, ‘Why don’t you guys spend some money?’ It’s not a question of spending money,” Wilson said.”Why buy a Porsche, then find out you can’t afford the insurance? Or go buy a Porsche, and then find out the bank is going to come take your house?”

Notes

Practices are open to the public today through Friday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Disney ICE, 300 W. Lincoln in downtown Anaheim . . . Center Chad Kilger, who is at camp while his agent, Larry Kelly, mulls a three-year, $2.3-million offer, has an insurance policy to protect himself financially in case of injury. . . . Fifty-seven players are in camp, with the roster to be cut to about 30 around Sept. 21 and to the new 24-player NHL limit before the Ducks’ season opener Oct. 9 at Winnipeg.