Fedorov Ready for His Return

Sergei Fedorov stepped away from a demanding 75-minute workout Tuesday feeling confident that he’d be back in the Mighty Duck lineup this weekend.

“Good practice,” said the Ducks’ top-line center, sidelined since the home opener on Oct. 10 because of a groin injury. “No complications, no nothing. I’m feeling it when I’m stretching it, but as far as skating, nothing really is bothering me. I didn’t really notice it.... So, I had a good practice, a very positive day. Feel good after.”

A Saturday return against the Phoenix Coyotes is realistic, Fedorov said, adding, “I like to think it would be a good night to come out and zip around.”

But more tests remain.

“I’ve got to do some stop-and-starts still,” said Fedorov, who has sat out 13 games. “I’ve got to do some one-on-one drills.... It’s all about testing. We’re going to get as close as possible to game situations....

“I don’t think anything will go wrong. We did pretty hard skating and I felt fine, if not stronger than [when] I skated before.... Nothing really worries me.”

Said Coach Randy Carlyle: “We’ll see how he reacts after a hard skate. We skated hard today.”

But Carlyle, in talking about Saturday’s game at Glendale, Ariz., seemed to indicate that Fedorov’s return was imminent.

“In our mind, we’ll have every member of our team available, maybe outside of one,” he said.

Carlyle declined to name the one, but it was believed to be defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh, who has been sidelined since Oct. 25 because of a cracked rib and was noncommittal about when he would be able to play again.

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The Ducks won’t practice today, but Carlyle said he would meet individually with each player. “I think it’s important that they have an opportunity to voice their concerns or their issues and I have an opportunity to represent the coaching staff in our views,” he said, adding that he planned to hold similar meetings two or three more times this season. “Some people will call it redefining roles.... I think it’s imperative that you do it.” ... Left wing Trevor Gillies and center Zenon Konopka, who scored his first NHL goal in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild, were sent to the Ducks’ American Hockey League affiliate at Portland, Maine.