Concerned Kariya to See Specialist

Paul Kariya, uncomfortable with the progress of his rehabilitation, will travel to Vancouver today to consult with abdominal specialist Ross Davidson and doesn’t expect to rejoin the team until after the Ducks return to Anaheim at the end of their five-game trip.

Kariya made the decision on his own Sunday and will be examined Tuesday by Davidson, one of the top specialists in his field, and begin working with personal physical therapist Alex McKechnie.

“A lot of people have told me, ‘Only you can say when you’re ready.’ I’d know if I was ready to play, and I’m not,” said Kariya, who has been rehabilitating from an abdominal muscle injury for more than two months.

Despite positive results from an MRI last week, Kariya believes he is still being hampered by the injury and not simply by soreness in the groin area as he works his way into shape.

“I know muscle soreness,” Kariya said. “You know your own body. It doesn’t take me this long to get back.”

Kariya was skating without pain at first, but began experiencing unusual soreness in the groin area as he intensified his workouts.

A prolonged absence could prove devastating to the Ducks, who rely heavily on Kariya and Teemu Selanne.

Coach Ron Wilson still thought it was possible Kariya might rejoin the team on the trip.

“You know, he’s getting better, but slower than Paul wants,” Wilson said. “He’s impatient.”