HUNTINGTON BEACH — Ducks general manager Bob Murray said Saturday he expects Patrick Eaves to play next season after the veteran right wing missed all but two games in 2017-18 because of what was initially diagnosed as Guillain-Barre syndrome. Murray was less certain about the availability of center Ryan Kesler, however.

“I’m more confident that Patrick Eaves is going to play for the full season than I am of Ryan Kesler at the moment, although ‘Kes’ says he’s going to be fine,” Murray said during an event with Ducks season-ticket holders at Bolsa Chica State Beach.

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system. After trips to see specialists around the country, it turned out Eaves suffered from a different ailment that wasn’t nerve related called post-viral syndrome.

Kesler underwent hip surgery last summer and was limited to 44 games last season. There’s been speculation around the NHL that Kesler might be forced to sit out 2018-19 in order to full rehabilitate his hip. He scored eight goals and 14 points last season. Related Articles NHL, players unveil series of anti-racism initiatives

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Murray fielded several questions from fans, including one from a woman who asked if right wing Corey Perry was working to improve his diminished speed during the offseason. “I sure hope so,” Murray said of Perry, a former 50-goal scorer who had 19 in 2016-17 and 17 last season.

“Every player at some time in your career, you’ve got to figure out — and we all go through it — that you’re getting older,” Murray said. “You have to change some things you do. And the things you have to change start in the offseason. And I think Corey has realized that. I’m hoping he has.”

Murray also said he was engaged in talks for new contracts for goaltender John Gibson and right wing Jakob Silfverberg this summer. Gibson could become a restricted free agent after 2018-19 and Silfverberg could become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.

In addition, Murray said he was scheduled to depart Sunday morning for Toronto for an arbitration hearing Tuesday with defenseman Brandon Montour. Murray said it’s likely Montour will be signed to a two-year “bridge” contract.

“We would have liked a longer deal, but it’s not going to happen,” he said.