Haller Joins Practice but Isn’t Ready to Play

Defenseman Kevin Haller practiced with his teammates Monday for the first time since suffering a sprained left knee in the first period of the Ducks’ 6-3 loss Nov. 15 against the Detroit Red Wings.

Haller isn’t certain when he will play again, but he figures it will be soon.

“I would guess I’m about 75-80%,” he said. “I wish it were 95%, then I could probably play.”

What troubled Haller in practice was battling for position in front of the net and quick starts and stops. He said he experienced some minor pain.

Haller has been wearing a lightweight knee brace, which helps take some of the strain from his knee ligaments.

This is Haller’s second knee injury since training camp began. He missed all of September after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

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Enforcer Stu Grimson did not skate Monday because of a strained shoulder. He’s expected to practice today and play Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks.

“Stu played a lot the other night [a 2-1 victory Saturday over the Phoenix Coyotes]. He’s probably tired,” Coach Craig Hartsburg joked.

The news was mixed on two other injured Ducks.

Winger Ladislav Kohn, out since Nov. 27 because of a groin strain, expects to resume practicing with the team either today or Wednesday.

The extent of the elbow injury center Antti Aalto suffered Saturday is still to be determined. The Ducks are awaiting the results of an MRI exam.

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The Ducks sent defenseman Dan Trebil to Cincinnati of the American Hockey League and recalled left wing Jeremy Stevenson. Trebil has not played for the Ducks this season. Stevenson has not recorded a point in two games.