Future Unclear for Carney, Salei

The next five games could be the season’s defining point for the Mighty Ducks -- and determine the future of two of the team’s top defensemen.

Keith Carney and Ruslan Salei are among the few remaining members of a Duck team that surprised the hockey world three years ago by advancing to the Stanley Cup finals. The two are also among the Ducks’ highest-paid players and will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season.

Sitting five points away from the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Ducks face a critical question: Do they add another piece for a playoff push or subtract two if those hopes dim?

The five-game stretch includes a trip that starts tonight at San Jose and ends at Vancouver with stops in Edmonton and Calgary.

The Ducks then play host to Chicago in their final game before the two-week Olympic break beginning Feb. 13.

“This stretch will tell us where we’re at,” General Manager Brian Burke said.

It will also tell Burke whether he needs to re-sign Carney and Salei, who have played a combined 827 games for the Ducks.

Burke said he hopes to make a decision by the break. “It’s only fair to them,” he said.

The two are among the most experienced defensemen on the roster and their value down the stretch would increase if Scott Niedermayer is sidelined because of his troublesome right knee.

Niedermayer learned Friday that an MRI exam revealed more swelling in the knee.

The Ducks are about $4.5 million under the $39-million salary cap. With Carney making $2.04 million and Salei earning $1.824 million, their expiring contracts make them prime targets to be moved if the Ducks fall out of contention by the March 9 trade deadline. In addition, NHL general managers are meeting next week in Las Vegas.

Perhaps in preparation for the loss of either or both Carney and Salei, Burke has brought in Francois Beauchemin and prospect Maxim Kondratiev in exchange for disappointing forwards Sergei Fedorov and Petr Sykora.

The 25-year-old Beauchemin has already locked up a spot alongside Niedermayer and the 23-year-old Kondratiev has the offensive upside that Coach Randy Carlyle covets.

Carney, who turned 36 Friday, said he has one focus right now: his job on the ice.

“Those other things are for management and the people that are away from the game,” said the 14-year veteran, who is in his fourth season with the Ducks. “They make those decisions and those are issues that happen for every player and every hockey club.

“It’s easy to separate it. You’re focused on doing your job and helping your team.”

Salei may prove a more difficult case.

A first-round pick by the Ducks in 1996, the 31-year-old has spent his career in Anaheim and is having a strong statistical season with a plus-16 rating -- third on the team.

However, Salei has struggled with the NHL’s rule changes, and he leads the team with 36 minor penalties.

Salei, who could join the team next week after sitting out three games because of an eye injury, admitted he has had difficulty adjusting to how the game is now officiated.

“I think it’s taken away from my physical game,” he said. “The calls have been somewhat inconsistent. It’s kind of tough. I try to do as least as possible in the chance that I don’t get any more penalties.”

Initial discussions between Burke and Salei’s agent, Todd Diamond, on a contract extension ended in August when Salei agreed to a qualifying offer with the hope of further talks after Jan. 1. Burke recently indicated he would try to re-sign Salei but so far there have been no talks.

Diamond said Salei hopes to stay in Anaheim but would attract alot of interest on the open market.

“Guys like Ruslan don’t grow on trees in this day and age,” Diamond said. “He still brings a physical part to the game that teams need.”

Carney said dealing with trade speculation is easier now that he is older.

“It comes with experience and it’s a lot easier when you’ve been through it,” he said. “You just try to play well every time you step on the ice.”

TONIGHT

at San Jose, 7:30, FSNW2

Site -- HP Pavilion.

Radio -- 1090.

Records -- Ducks 24-18-10; Sharks 24-19-8.

Record vs. Sharks -- 2-2-1.

Update -- Captain Scott Niedermayer went through a full practice with the team on Friday and has not ruled out playing for Canada in the Olympics. Shark right wing Jonathan Cheechoo, who had three goals in their 6-4 victory Wednesday, has 31 for the season. Joe Thornton is the league’s third-leading scorer with 72 points.

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

On the defensive

Mighty Duck defensemen Keith Carney and Ruslan Salei will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season.

KEITH CARNEY

* Acquired from Phoenix for a second-round pick in June 2001.

* Has two goals and 14 assists with a plus-12 rating and 40 penalty minutes in 52 games this season. Has 40 goals and 156 assists in his career.

* Age: 36.

*

RUSLAN SALEI

* Drafted by Anaheim in the first round (19th overall) of the 1996 entry draft.

* Has one goal, 14 assists with a plus-16 rating and 72 penalty minutes in 49 games this season. Has 26 goals and 75 assists in his career.

* Age: 31.