Gauthier: Any Move Is Likely to Be Minor

Will he or won’t he?

That’s the question Pierre Gauthier, Duck president and general manager, faces as the NHL’s March 14 trade deadline nears.

But a better question, as far as Gauthier is concerned is:

Should he or shouldn’t he?

“We have a young team and there are a lot of dangers [in changing the chemistry at this late date],” Gauthier said before the Ducks’ game against the Calgary Flames. “We’re jelling pretty good right now. You’ve got to be careful. It’s a little different with a more veteran team.”

Gauthier hasn’t ruled out making a deal, but don’t expect a blockbuster trade. His method of operation as general manager in Ottawa and Anaheim has been to assemble his team before training camp, make a few minor tweaks to the roster during the season and let the improvement happen on the ice.

“The team has played well, pretty consistent,” he said, referring to the Ducks’ 4-2-2 record in their last eight going into Friday. “The league is so close. Basically, there are only four teams--five at most--out of the playoff picture. We’re all in a fight. So, 24 teams are all talking to the four.”

Gauthier believes he will soon see one “new” player in the lineup. He was speaking of captain Paul Kariya, who missed his sixth consecutive game Friday because of a bruised right foot. The Ducks hope Kariya will be fit to skate lightly either today or Sunday.

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Center Antti Aalto missed his second consecutive game because of flulike symptoms. . . . Defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski was scratched for only the third time since he made his NHL debut Jan. 19 against the Dallas Stars.