Orange County Register

With his spot in the lineup having been seized by newly acquired Brandon Bochenski, and Brad May and Samuel Pahlsson appearing likely to come off the injured list soon, the Ducks assigned rookie winger Bobby Ryan to American League affiliate Portland, Maine, before Wednesday night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Honda Center.

Ryan, 20, has three goals and five points in 13 games with the Ducks this season, including two goals and two assists in nine games since having been recalled from the Pirates on Dec. 15, but had been a healthy scratch in the previous two games.

Bochenski, obtained Jan. 2 in a trade that sent defenseman Shane Hnidy to the Boston Bruins, is scoreless in two games, but has earned praise from Ducks coach Randy Carlyle.

“He’s done the little things we’ve asked him to do,” Carlyle said. “It’s not easy for a player to step into a lineup after one or two days practice and make a huge contribution. He’s been on the puck. He’s driven the middle lanes, hung around the middle of the net, been safe and responsible defensively. The offense hasn’t provided a huge number count, but we’re happy with his play with the puck and away from the puck.”

May, sidelined since Dec. 18 because of a broken bone in his right foot, skated on his own Tuesday, took part in Wednesday’s morning skate and is awaiting only final medical clearance before resuming full practice. Pahlsson, who hasn’t played since Dec. 22 because of abdominal inflammation, said he has a “realistic” hope of being ready for Sunday’s home game against the San Jose Sharks.

DAN WOOD, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.