Carlyle Faces Tough Choices

Decision time is nearing for the Ducks’ last roster spots, which means there will soon be a strong sense of agony in the air.

With one exhibition game left, Saturday in Phoenix against the Coyotes, the Ducks have 27 players still in training camp and will have to pare at least four from the roster before next week’s regular-season opener against the Kings.

It could mean some hard choices for a well-stocked team. Young hopefuls Ryan Shannon, Shane O’Brien and Tim Brent have been impressive enough to earn long looks from the coaching staff, putting a few veterans on the bubble.

Asked if making final cuts is an arduous process, Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said, “It can be. It has that potential. But this isn’t my first time making those decisions.”

Shannon, 23, made another case for an opening-night job with a slick backhand pass behind the net to set up Todd Marchant’s goal Wednesday in a 3-2 exhibition win over the Coyotes.

O’Brien, 23, is a candidate if the Ducks carry seven defensemen, but his puck-moving ability and physical game may land him a spot in the third defense pairing, where veteran Ian Moran and second-year regular Joe DiPenta are also in contention.

While at Portland (Maine) last season, O’Brien led all American Hockey League defensemen in scoring with 22 points as the Pirates advanced to the Calder Cup semifinals. The Ducks’ trade of Vitaly Vishnevski provided an opening that O’Brien has seized.

“You just try not to think about it,” O’Brien said of his status. “Hopefully everything works out well. If it doesn’t, you just go back to the minors and get back here as quick as you can.”

Said Carlyle: “I think this being his fourth year [as a pro] it’s time for him to make a statement and I think he’s trying to do that.”

Veteran forward Travis Green could be on the outside looking in if he can’t get healthy. Green injured his hip Sunday night against Vancouver and was unavailable Wednesday.

“There’s an assessment of other people taking place and he’s not able to play yet,” Carlyle said.

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A stitched-up Teemu Selanne joked about his latest meeting with a wayward stick. He was inadvertently hit in the mouth by Phoenix’s Tyson Nash early in Wednesday’s game.

“I look a lot better,” said Selanne, who needed three hours of dental work. “You should have seen me last night. I looked like Bubba from ‘Forrest Gump.’ ”

Selanne has become a stick magnet. In a game against the U.S. during the Winter Olympics, he lost a few teeth courtesy of Derian Hatcher.

“I was lucky,” Selanne said. “On Monday, my new bridge is going to come in. If it happened after Monday, the whole bridge would have been gone. If it had to happen ... it was good timing.”

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The Ducks are left with a couple of draft picks from the Vishnevski trade after losing center Karl Stewart, who was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Stewart had to clear waivers before being sent to Portland.

eric.stephens@latimes.com