Kariya Is Possible Captain

Coach Ron Wilson hinted he’ll name Paul Kariya the third captain in franchise history today even though Kariya might not be in the opening-night lineup.

“More than likely,” Wilson said. “You’re naming the captain of the team. You can have an acting captain as well.”

Wilson has said he doesn’t think Kariya is too young to be captain at 21, and praises his leadership by example. Bobby Dollas, Teemu Selanne and Jari Kurri are among the other candidates for leadership roles. Troy Loney was the Ducks’ first captain, followed by Randy Ladouceur.

Exactly when Kariya will start the season is anybody’s guess--perhaps almost until game time Saturday in Toronto. He has been rehabilitating an abdominal muscle injury the last two months.

“It could be two weeks, it could be three weeks. It could be one week,” General Manager Jack Ferreira said. “We’re not putting any pressure on him whatsoever. It will be when he feels 100%.”

Said Wilson: “I think in a couple of weeks he’ll be playing, but I wouldn’t be surprised myself if he played this weekend.”