Hebert’s Status a Mystery

The Mighty Ducks tinkered with their roster with three minor deals as the trade deadline came and went Tuesday. More important, though, was the absence of goalie Guy Hebert, who has been under wraps the last three days.

The Ducks acquired Ed Ward, a 30-year-old right wing, from Atlanta for a conditional draft pick in 2001. They also picked up goalie Corey Hirsch for future considerations. And the Ducks traded defenseman Dan Trebil to Pittsburgh for a fifth-round pick in the June draft.

“What we addressed today was basically some depth in certain areas,” General Manager Pierre Gauthier said. “We felt adding a forward for depth was the right thing to do. We have eight games in the next 13 days and we’re going to need a lot of people contributing.”

Whether Hebert will be one of them remains to be seen. He was slammed into the net twice and then had to leave the game Saturday against St. Louis. He missed practice Sunday and Monday and skated Tuesday morning, but did not suit up.

The Ducks recalled goalie Gregg Naumenko from Cincinnati and he served as Dominic Roussel’s backup against Colorado.

Gauthier said Hebert is fine, although Coach Craig Hartsburg seemed to contradict that assessment.

“We don’t talk about what injuries we have at this time of the year,” said Hartsburg, who also said Roussel would start tonight against the Kings.

Hebert’s health may be the reason the Ducks acquired Hirsch.

“We felt maybe we should have a third guy in the organization with NHL experience,” Gauthier said.

Hirsch, who played 105 games with Vancouver from 1995-99, will remain with minor league Utah for now.