ANAHEIM — It has been a long wait but Ducks coach Randy Carlyle is now making plans for Hampus Lindholm. And he may soon be counting on adding Sami Vatanen.

The two big-minute defensemen were taking part in every practice drill Wednesday as the Ducks got back to work after two days to clear their minds following a sluggish 2-3-1 start. They’ve been working their way back from shoulder surgeries done in May, with return dates originally set for Nov. 1.

Both are beating that timeline, with one coming into action ahead of the other. A sure sign that Lindholm appears ready to play Friday against Montreal was his appearance on the Ducks’ second power-play unit.

If he returns as anticipated, Lindholm would have only missed six games. It could be a small price to pay for making sure that his recovery from the procedure to repair labral tears in his left shoulder a complete one.

“I played in the playoffs with an injured shoulder,” Lindholm said. “I could have said I could have played a month ago but then I probably could have gotten hurt.

“It’s not about me. I’ve already shown that I can play with a hurt shoulder. It’s more about if I play and if the worst-case scenario (happen), that I still know that the shoulder won’t fall apart.”

In Lindholm, the Ducks are getting back their top one-on-one defender and Carlyle readily said that he’ll be teamed again with Josh Manson. Manson has been playing with Cam Fowler to open the season but working with Lindholm gives the Ducks a great shutdown pair that also drives puck possession.

“We’d be crazy to look past the success that they’ve had together in the previous year and a half,” Carlyle said. “So that’s an easy one. That other ones are more difficult.”

Weeks of skating have Lindholm comfortable with his conditioning as he prepares to log his usual 20-plus minutes per night as long as he gains the final clearance from the medical staff.

“It’s a long season and I’m going to play a lot of games this year,” Lindholm said. “So I just want to make sure the games I play when I get out there, I know I’ m going to be able to play all those games with my shoulder and contributing to the team.

“As I said, I could have played a month ago. I’ve already shown I can do that. It’s more about me being able to play my whole game.”

Vatanen won’t play Friday but the possibility exists that he could make his season debut somewhere on the Ducks’ upcoming four-game trip that begins Tuesday in Philadelphia. The good-natured defender had his right shoulder repaired and bragged that his slap shot is harder than ever.

“Well, it’s close,” Vatanen said. “But it’s not quite there for me right now. It’s getting close. It might be just a little while more and we’re ready to play. I want to feel that I’m ready to take the hits and I’ll be ready to give some hits.”

REACHING HIS GOAL

Appearing to be fully recovered from a wrist injury incurred during the preseason, Ryan Miller may be on track toward dressing for the first time with the Ducks on Friday and potentially making his first official start with his new team on the team’s upcoming trip.

As John Gibson worked in one net, Miller kept the other for the bulk of Wednesday’s practice after sharing the net with backup Reto Berra. Miller signed a two-year contract as a free agent this past summer.

“We play a number of games in five days or six days there so it makes common sense,” Carlyle said. “You want to make sure you don’t burn your people out. Gibby’s been good. He was out of the one game and Berra went in and gave us a chance.

“Again, that’s what would be the long-range plan. But plans change daily. That’s the trouble with pro sports.”

Right wing Ondrej Kase also could be a possibility against the Canadiens. Kase was back at practice after sitting out the last three games due to a head injury suffered in a home loss to Calgary.

Two impact forwards remain sidelined after aggravating their lower-body injuries. Ryan Getzlaf and Patrick Eaves had to sit out Sunday’s loss to Buffalo. Carlyle said he is hoping Getzlaf can practice Thursday but doesn’t think Eaves will, which would keep him out Friday.

KERDILES HEADS DOWN

The Ducks sent winger Nic Kerdiles back to San Diego (AHL) after calling him up last week. Kerdiles appeared in two games but saw very little ice time, with just 3 minutes, 33 seconds played at Colorado and 3:57 logged against Buffalo.