Kariya chats with CNNSI.com

Posted: Thu May 14, 1998 at 1:42 PM ET

Kariya    (AP)

ATLANTA (CNN/SI) -- Paul Kariya of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks talked with CNNSI.com about the Stanley Cup playoffs, his health and the future his NHL team on May 11.

Kariya suffered the fourth concussion of his career in February, forcing him to miss the Olympics and the remainder of the NHL season.

After signing a new contract with the Ducks this fall, Kariya scored 17 goals and notched 13 assists in 22 games.

Kariya, winner of the 1993 Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey's best player, was third in the NHL in scoring with 99 points in 1996-97, netting 44 goals with 55 assists.

In 1995-96, Kariya reached career highs with 50 goals, 58 assists and 108 points. In 47 games as a rookie in 1994-95, he finished with 18 goals and 21 assists.

A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Kariya earned the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the league's most gentlemanly player in 1996 and 1997.

Here's a transcript of the chat:

Caps: Hey Paul, do the Capitals have what it takes to win the Cup?

Paul Kariya: Yeah, everybody's got a good shot right now. I think Ron's [Wilson] a tremendous coach and he's doing a good job.

Poretto: How are you feeling after a week of workouts?

Kariya: "I feel great and it's the best I have felt since the injury."

Bonkus: Paul, what do you think about Ducks' goalie situation?

Kariya: "I think we have two strong goalies .... and also with the addition of Patrick Lalime from Pittsburgh will help solidify our goaltending situation."

Host: What were the biggest surprises of the first round?

Kariya: "The biggest first round surprises to me were Colorado and Edmonton."

Teemu: What are the Ducks plans for the offseason?

Kariya: "We definitely need some help in the free agent market, especially on defense. I won't name names, but we need some help.

Brunos: Do you think that Dominik Hasek can win the cup for the Sabres?

Kariya: "Everyone who is playing has a chance right now. And when he's on his game he is tough to beat But in the end they may lack a little offense."

Host: Do you regret dropping out of Maine in your freshman year?

Kariya: "No I don't because I played in the Olympics which was my dream."

Duk" What do you think about Ducks rookies Jeff Nielsen, Frank Banham and Matt Cullen?

Kariya: "I think they all played very well for us, especially down the stretch. All three of them have good hockey sense and a feel for the game."

Bonkus: What did you think about the mid-season trades the Ducks made?

Kariya: "I think our team changed a lot and we got a lot younger. In the short term maybe we took a step back, but in the long term I hope we improved our team."

Kariya: "It was the biggest disappointment. I'd like to think it would have made a difference for the Canadian team if I had played."

Duk: Wayne Gretzky has often been complimentary of your game. How does that make you feel?

Kariya: "It's nice to get compliments from anyone. But when it's from the greatest player ever to play the game, it is certainly special."

Kariya: "No. I don't surf the sites."

Kariya: "Mike is a very smart player with good skills -- and it's just a question of whether he can take the rigors of the NHL. With Dan, he played great a year ago and had some injury problems this year. But I think they both can play."

Kariya: "I think they played extremely well -- and got great goaltending from Hasek."

Host: Do the Ducks need tougher players on the team to protect you and Teemu?

Kariya: "I think overall the team has to get tougher. But whether we need a "goon" -- who knows?

Poretto: What do you think of the Ducks' coaching staff this season? Were you guys able to adjust to their program?

Kariya: "Overall the adjustment was pretty smooth. But we had a lot younger team and went through some growing pains."

HawkEye: Paul, do you think the NHL is expanding too quickly?

Kariya: "I'm not sure. [But] every time you expand the quality of play goes down."

Host: Who's faster, you or teammate Teemu Selanne?

Kariya: "In a short race I might give myself the edge -- in a longer race, I think Teemu would win."

Teemu: Paul what are your goals for next year?

Kariya: "As a team we need to rebound and make the playoffs. Personally I want to improve my game every time I step on the ice."

Kariya: "Yes I do. I think we need some help, but if the younger players improve and the older players continue to get better we have a chance."

Maryanne: Do you think that the change in officiating led to speedier teams upsetting the "big" teams like the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round?

Kariya: "I think the best team is a combination of both speed and strength. But having too much of one can be a detriment."

Pow-09: Paul, do you plan to finish your career in Anaheim?

Kariya: "I expect to end my career here. But you never know in today's world."

Poretto: What do you think contributed to the Ducks failure to make the playoffs this season?

Kariya: "We had a lot of changes in our team and injury problems, and what should have been a year to go farther in the playoffs turned into a rebuilding year."

Dux: Will your brother Steve get drafted?

Kariya: "He's too old to get drafted."

Viv: In light of your injury, what are some of the precautions you're taking to protect yourself next season?

Kariya: "The most important one is giving my body enough time to heal. And second is strengthening my neck muscles."

Duk: Mr. Kariya, if you could pick two players to play with on the ice, who would they be?

Kariya: "I would pick Teemu and Peter Forsberg. Teemu and I work well together and I think Forsberg would fit into the line well because he's a great playmaker, and he handles the puck well.

Kariya: "Well, it's been great chatting with you ... see you at The Pond next season!"