Performance Brings Officials to Table

The Ducks’ terrible start prompted a summit meeting of more than three hours this week among Disney Sports Enterprises President Tony Tavares, General Manager Jack Ferreira and the entire coaching staff.

Ferreira would say only the group discussed “everything.”

Tavares said “nobody got aggressive” but topics included everything from organizational philosophy to individual performances, including management and coaches.

“If you think we’re so arrogant we’re not looking at ourselves right now, you’re wrong,” Tavares said.

He also said the team is concerned about the development of its young players, with the notable exception of Paul Kariya, questioning both the organization’s player evaluation and the teaching at the NHL level.

Among the other topics: Whether it’s better to hold on to high draft picks or use them to trade for established players.

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Kariya’s season debut marked his first game as captain. Bobby Dollas was the captain during his absence.

Coach Ron Wilson named Kariya the third captain in club history before the season, saying the quiet 22-year-old has “the perfect qualities of a captain.”

“He’s not quiet in here,” Wilson said as he stood in the dressing room. “He speaks up in here, where it counts. He plays hard in big games, he worked hard on and off the ice and he’s a model citizen.”