Ducks Lose Another Defenseman

Duck defenseman Pascal Trepanier was forced out of Monday’s 3-1 victory over the Kings because of a bruised left foot.

Jamie Pushor, Trepanier’s frequent defense partner, suffered a bruised left shoulder and chest in Sunday’s 5-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes.

Expect the Ducks to grin and bear it. Don’t expect them to make a knee-jerk trade to get them by while Trepanier and Pushor recover. Fact is, they both could be back in the lineup later this week.

Besides, General Manager Pierre Gauthier indicated he might not make any deal before the March 23 trade deadline.

“I’m only interested in good deals,” Gauthier said. “I know that sounds pretty arrogant.

“But [Philadelphia General Manager] Bobby Clarke told me before last year’s deadline, ‘Pierre, we only have one week left to mess up our clubs.’ ”

Gauthier, then with the Ottawa Senators, did not make a trade at last season’s deadline, but his team went 10-5-5 in the final 20 games.

“Our team has got it together pretty good right now,” Gauthier said of the Ducks.

“If you start making wholesale changes, it’s not going to help the process [of establishing good chemistry].”