DUCKS REPORT : Injury Keeps Kariya Off Ice

Left wing Paul Kariya sat out his sixth consecutive exhibition game because of a sore left hip, suffered while working out before camp and aggravated by a couple of hard practices last week.

“I think we made a mistake in coming back too early,” said Kariya, who injured himself while compensating for the broken right foot he suffered in the playoffs last spring.

“I’m really focused on getting my strength back,” he said Wednesday before the Ducks’ 1-0 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes at the Arrowhead Pond.

Kariya has limited his workouts to the gymnasium this week, hoping the time off the ice will enable his hip to heal. He hasn’t ruled out playing in exhibitions Saturday at Phoenix or Monday at Colorado. But he also isn’t certain he will be fit to play in the regular-season opener Oct. 2 at Dallas.

“I could go out and skate at 70% and the average person in the stands wouldn’t know the difference,” he said. “But when I need to hold someone off in the corner, the strength isn’t there yet.”

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Defenseman Kevin Haller was satisfied with his progress Monday after his first skate since undergoing arthroscopic surgery two weeks ago on his right knee.

Haller, who acknowledged feeling mild pain and a lack of range of motion in the knee, said he’s still about a week ahead of schedule in his recovery and could be ready to play in the opener at Dallas. However, he’s a week away from being ready to practice at full speed.

“I’m really looking forward to being able to play in that first game,” Haller said. “I can’t say for sure [when he will be fit enough to practice], but being ahead of schedule is a great sign.”