Niedermayer awes the clock watchers

A heavy workload isn’t anything new to Scott Niedermayer.

In the Western Conference playoffs last season, Niedermayer averaged 28 minutes, 53 seconds of ice time in 16 games to lead the Ducks. Overall, he was eighth in the NHL at logging 25:30 per game.

But with two of the top four Ducks defensemen -- Chris Pronger and Francois Beauchemin -- out with injuries, Niedermayer is taking on an even greater load. The Ducks’ captain played a season-high 35:51 in Tuesday night’s 5-4 overtime loss to Nashville.

The figure drew awe from Predators Coach Barry Trotz.

“I mean, that’s ridiculous,” Trotz told the Tennessean. “He’s probably one of the best in the league and he was outstanding. You keep watching him go to the bench and he doesn’t even look tired.”

Averaging 27:42 of ice time makes Niedermayer second only to Boston defenseman Zdeno Chara, who is averaging 28:43. However, in the last five games, Niedermayer’s average time has increased to 32:24.

Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said he might consider giving his star some days off but more than likely after the All-Star break.

“You have to monitor it for sure,” Carlyle said of the ice time. “It’s just that we’re desperate now as a group to get our team game going in the right direction.”

Niedermayer said he would let Carlyle know if he is wearing down. On the surface, he hasn’t been affected; he is on a seven-game point streak.

“I’ve got to obviously be smart, knowing I’m going to be playing more,” he said. “You have to realize that and make good decisions, make sure you’re not caught making mistakes out there because of that.”

While he easily could have asked for a day off from practice Wednesday, a fatigued Niedermayer was skating along with the rest of his teammates.

“That’s the type of player that he’s been,” Carlyle said. “He’s not asking for special treatment. He’s leading by example again. Another perfect case.”

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Veteran center Travis Green was put on waivers and claimed Wednesday by Toronto, where he played in 2000-01 and 2001-02.

Green, 36, left before the Ducks began practice and could not be reached at the team’s hotel for comment. He was signed to a one-year, $500,000 contract in August and the Maple Leafs will be responsible for about half his salary.

Caught in a numbers game given the Ducks’ depth at center, Green played in seven games and had one goal and one assist. Last week, he was scratched in favor of rookie Tim Brent for two games while Todd Marchant was injured.

“We gave him four or five games,” Carlyle said. “He felt he could play and make more of a contribution. We felt otherwise in that aspect. In that way, it didn’t work. He worked hard. He was a good teammate. He did all the things we asked him to do.”

TONIGHT

at Dallas, 5:30 PST

Site -- American Airlines Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 29-9-7; Stars 26-17-1.

Record vs. Stars -- 1-0-1.

Update -- Perhaps the only other team as ravaged by injury is Dallas. Forward Eric Lindros returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing seven games because of a rib injury, but Mike Modano (hip) and Brenden Morrow (torn tendon in wrist) are still out.

eric.stephens@latimes.com