Detroit Rumored to Be Receptive to Trade for Mironov

Word around the league is that Detroit has an interest in trading for Mighty Duck defenseman Dmitri Mironov, who could bolster the Red Wings’ power play for the playoffs.

The Ducks apparently are ready to part with the often erratic Mironov, who will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. The trading deadline is March 24.

Mironov’s contract is worth $1.5 million this season, but it’s unlikely the Ducks will want to pay him that much next season. They would rather pay big money to a more well-rounded veteran defenseman.

The Ducks are believed to be interested in veteran Steve Duchesne of the St. Louis Blues, also an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Apparently, the Ducks would be willing to pay Duchesne more than $2 million per season.

Mironov has averaged about 28 minutes in many different roles for the Ducks. He would be asked to play primarily on the power play with a Stanley Cup contender such as Detroit.

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The NHL’s hearing to determine the full extent of Dallas defenseman Craig Ludwig’s suspension for decking Teemu Selanne on Friday in Dallas was delayed until today.

Ludwig was suspended for Tuesday’s game against the Kings, pending the results of the hearing.

Selanne was not seriously injured when Ludwig elbowed his head against the glass, igniting three brawls in the final 4:08 of the Stars’ 6-3 victory.

Tonight at New Jersey

* 4:30 PST

* Fox Sports West 2

Site--Continental Airlines Arena.

Radio--KRLA (1110), KCKC (1350).

Records--Ducks 21-36-9, Devils 40-17-9.

Record vs. Devils--1-0.

Update--New Jersey has won almost twice as many games as the Ducks and is fighting to finish the regular season with the league’s top record. The Devils’ 4-2 loss Saturday to Montreal ended a 9-0-4 unbeaten streak. Goaltender Martin Brodeur leads the NHL with 37 victories, nine more than second-place Ed Belfour of Dallas. Bobby Holik has 29 goals to lead the Devils. One of the Ducks’ best all-around games of the season was a 2-0 victory over the Devils in their first meeting, Nov. 26 at the Arrowhead Pond. The Ducks ended a seven-game losing streak with a 5-3 victory Sunday over the Colorado Avalanche. This is the first game of a seven-game trip for the Ducks; Philadelphia, Montreal, Ottawa, Chicago, Detroit and Colorado are the other stops.