Knutson Adjusts to NHL Game

Center Epsen Knutson, the most talked-about player in the Mighty Ducks’ camp, worked with the morning unit during practice Monday. The difference between the two groups? Teemu Selanne and Guy Herbert practiced in the afternoon.

“There is a pressure on [Epsen],” Coach Pierre Page said.

“The NHL isn’t better than European hockey; it’s different. A player needs time to adjust and, we as coaches, need to give him time to adjust.”

Still, there was also a point to be made.

“We need guys with grit,” Page said. “Fortunately, you can teach grit. You can’t teach goal scoring.”

Page said the split was also done to put the veterans in the same group.

Yet center J.F. Jomphe, who played 64 games for the Ducks last season, was in the morning group. Center Matt Cullen, who played at St. Cloud State last season, was in the afternoon group.

“We want to send a message right away,” Page said. “You have to play yourself onto the veteran group.”

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Duck President Tony Tavares said the team has made a second contract offer to Paul Kariya. Tavares declined to give particulars of the offer.

Kariya’s agent, Don Baizley, would not comment on the negotiations.

“The Ducks and I agreed not to discuss this,” Baizley said.

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Center Sean Pronger, who ended his holdout Saturday, reported to camp Monday and immediately went to work. He was a little winded after his first workout.

“I worked during the summer to get in the best shape of my life, but I didn’t skate all last week,” Pronger said. “I went to the gym and did Rollerblade some. It wasn’t the same as skating on the ice and getting hit.”