Coach to Push Veterans Too

The Mighty Ducks’ talented prospects won’t be the only ones getting a long look during four exhibition games beginning Wednesday night at home against San Jose. Veterans also will be under the scrutiny of Coach Randy Carlyle.

“I would be inclined to play people more than what you would expect,” Carlyle said Monday. “It’s a learning curve for myself; it’s a learning curve for them.

“If you ask every coach, I think they would rather make sure that they’ve done everything they possibly think they have to do in preparing their team for their first game. There’s no better opportunity to do that than in game situations.”

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Defenseman Jason Marshall didn’t practice after needing four stitches to close a gash under his right eye Saturday night, the result of being on the wrong end of a first-period scuffle with King enforcer Ken Belanger during the Ducks’ 4-2 loss.

Team physician Craig Milhouse cleared the veteran for practice, although Marshall said X-rays revealed a slight bone fracture below the eye.

“I’ll be back out there,” Marshall said. “It just means I’ll wear a [face] shield for at least a couple of weeks.”

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The Ducks are taking a cautious approach with Bobby Ryan, their first draft pick, as he rehabilitates his injured left shoulder. Ryan said he was hoping to make his first camp appearance next week.

“[Bobby] is starting to feel much better, but we think that rest is the No. 1 thing,” Carlyle said.

Carlyle also said that defenseman Jordan Smith would miss a week because of fluid buildup behind his left eye, where he was inadvertently hit with a stick in Saturday’s prospects game against the Kings.

-- Eric Stephens