Todd Sidelined for Two Weeks

Center Kevin Todd is expected to be sidelined for two weeks after being struck by a puck above his left eye during Wednesday’s exhibition against the Phoenix Coyotes.

“There was some blood in his eye and he took quite a few stitches [above the eye], so we’ve got to be extra careful with him,” Coach Pierre Page said. “We’ll probably have to take someone else with us to Japan [for games against the Vancouver Canucks next week].”

Todd’s injury all but clinches a spot on the 25-man roster for rookie center Matt Cullen, who has impressed Page with his hustle and poise.

Page will make his final cuts after Saturday’s exhibition finale against the Kings at the Forum. The Ducks and Kings also play at 7:30 tonight at the Pond.

“The final decisions will probably be Jack’s,” Page said, referring to General Manager Jack Ferreira.

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Except for Todd, the Ducks are in good shape. At least that’s what the players would like Page to believe.

“They were all on the ice today because they all want to go to Japan,” Page said. “They’re all going to pretend they’re OK for the next few days.”

Espen Knutsen, Steve Rucchin and Shawn Antoski resumed workouts Thursday after missing several days of work because of injuries. Knutsen and Rucchin had groin strains and Antoski had a mild concussion.

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Page called Dave King, an assistant with the Montreal Canadiens who has coached in Japan, for advice on handling the 11-hour flight to Tokyo.

“He said to drink a lot of water on the plane and eat a lot of fruit and pasta,” Page said. “He recommended sleeping for at least five hours. Then get up and walk around the plane a bit. You can’t just sit there like a couch potato for 10 hours like you were watching NFL games on a Sunday.”