Kariya, Haller Still Questionable

The medical news was good for the Ducks on Sunday, but they are still uncertain whether captain Paul Kariya or defenseman Kevin Haller will be fit to play in the regular-season opener Saturday against the Dallas Stars.

Neither will play in tonight’s exhibition finale against Colorado at Denver. Both will skate at this morning’s workout, although Kariya will not participate in drills.

Kariya, who has a sore left hip, hasn’t skated in about a week. But he hasn’t ruled out playing Saturday and isn’t worried about being rusty after missing all eight exhibitions.

“As long as I’m healthy I’m not concerned,” Kariya said. “Now, I feel close to normal. It doesn’t bother me. Before, it was bothering me just walking up and down stairs.”

Haller, recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, skated at top speed at practice Sunday and joked about scoring his first goal in training camp. He has yet to participate in contact drills and probably won’t for a few more days, but he believes he will play Saturday.

“I’m expecting to play,” Haller said. “I’m still a little out of shape. I’ve still got a little work to do yet.”

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The NHL will conduct the waiver draft today. Will the Ducks select a player? Pierre Gauthier, team president and general manager, refused to comment when asked about his plans. Last season, the Ducks snared defenseman Pascal Trepanier from Colorado.

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Guy Hebert and Dominic Roussel will split the goaltending duties tonight against the Avalanche. Defenseman Fredrik Olausson, center Steve Rucchin and right wing Teemu Selanne also will play. . . . A victory tonight would give the Ducks (3-3-1) their first winning record in exhibition play. They were 2-7 last season.