Penner is a quiet sensation

Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins is the newest darling of the NHL and Anze Kopitar has become the future of the Kings. But there is a winger from Anaheim who could be in the running for the Calder Trophy, given to the league’s top first-year player.

Dustin Penner is third in scoring among rookies, behind Malkin and Kopitar, after picking up two points, including his 14th goal, in Monday’s 4-1 victory over Calgary. He has 23 points.

Being overlooked is nothing new for the low-key 24-year-old. “I’m kind of used to that,” he said.

Penner, who signed with the Ducks as a free agent, was a longshot to make the NHL.

Coach Randy Carlyle has a theory on why the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Penner wasn’t a hot prospect in his younger days.

“There was a lingering question about the level of conditioning and whether there was enough of a commitment to that early in his life,” Carlyle said. “When I told him that, he was astounded. Shocked.

“The thing with Dustin is I think we still very much see a prime example of a work in progress. You look at where he’s at now and he’s done a lot in a short period of time.”

Said Penner: “Sometimes you can’t see what we’ve done up until this point because you’re so focused on the present. We’re so focused on the moment that I think that’s why we are where we are.”

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George Parros left the ice after a few minutes of practice to rest an undisclosed injury that Carlyle said occurred Wednesday either during a third-period fight with Calgary’s Robyn Regehr or when he a took a hit behind the net moments before.

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The Ducks signed goaltender J.P. Levasseur to a three-year entry level contract.

TONIGHT

vs. Dallas, 7, Ch. 56

Site -- Honda Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 26-4-6; Stars 21-12-0.

Record vs. Stars -- 0-0-1.

Update -- Tonight’s game is expected to be a sellout, which would be the Ducks’ fifth. Dallas’ Mike Modano has missed the last six games with a hip injury.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.

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