Bylsma Benched, Kjellberg Gets Ice Time

The Ducks juggled their lineup slightly, benching forward Dan Bylsma in favor of Patrick Kjellberg.

Kjellberg played 65 games for the Ducks last season, but was a healthy scratch the first two games. Bylsma is one of the team’s top penalty killers.

“The other night in Dallas, I thought we didn’t have enough forwards going,” Coach Mike Babcock said. “I couldn’t make the changes I wanted to during the game. Patrick had a good camp and is going to get an opportunity. If you’re out [of the lineup], you better be working hard every single day to get in. Once you’re in, I wouldn’t be giving your job away.”

*

Michael Eisner has found his way into the professional sports wing of the Disney empire, but has saved public comments only for the World Series-bound Angels. Eisner has refused interview requests for more than a year to talk about the Ducks’ drop off, in play and profit, in recent seasons. Repeated calls to Disney offices were not returned this week.

*

Defenseman Pavel Trnka, out two weeks with a groin injury, worked out with the team for the first time Sunday.

“I was able to do starts and stops for the first time,” Trnka said. “I still feel it a little, but it was a lot better today.”