Forward’s Condition Improving

The Mighty Ducks got some encouraging news after learning that forward Rob Niedermayer may be close to resuming off-ice workouts now that his concussion-related symptoms appear to be subsiding. However, there is no date as to when he will be back.

Niedermayer will sit out his fourth consecutive game tonight when the Ducks play the Washington Capitals. There is a chance he may join the Ducks at some point during their upcoming trip that has games Monday at Boston and Thursday at Ottawa.

“Each day is getting better so hopefully I’m not very far off,” Niedermayer said Thursday.

Niedermayer, one of the team’s top checking forwards, has been out since suffering the concussion Jan. 1 against Nashville. While he said headaches haven’t been a real problem, he has had the feeling of being continually “off balance.”

“I was hoping to be back a lot sooner than this,” Niedermayer said. “It’s just something that you can’t rush.”

The symptoms aren’t nearly as debilitating, he said, as those he experienced during the 1997-98 season with Florida, when he missed 26 games.

“That one was way worse than this one, for sure,” he said.

While Niedermayer is on the mend, Teemu Selanne left the ice early during practice after aggravating his groin, which he said he tweaked while skating Wednesday. He is the team’s leading scorer with 37 points.

“It’s a little better today ... but I still can’t push it out there,” said Selanne, who will see how he feels in today’s morning skate before deciding if he plays tonight.

*

Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin? That has been the question as to who is the NHL’s top rookie. The Ducks don’t face Crosby this season, but they do face Ovechkin tonight.

Ovechkin, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 draft, leads all rookies in scoring with 52 points. “He’s the real deal, the whole package,” Duck Coach Randy Carlyle said.

*

TONIGHT

vs. Washington, 7:30, FSNW2

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- 1090.

Records -- Ducks 19-16-7; Capitals 13-24-5.

Record vs. Capitals (2003-04) -- 1-0-0.

Update -- The Ducks may recall rookie Zenon Konopka for Monday’s game at Boston if Niedermayer isn’t ready.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.