Timing Is Better Late Than Never

Rookie center Matt Cullen, surveying the frenzy in the Mighty Duck locker room Thursday, had one observation about Paul Kariya.

“He looks just like his trading card,” Cullen said.

Welcome home, Paul.

From Mighty Duck center Steve Rucchin to Mighty Duck fan Tim Ferreira, the feeling was generally mutual. Better late than never.

Months of stalled contract talks, during which Duck fans voiced their opinion with “We Want Paul” chants, came to a rapid conclusion with Kariya agreeing to a two-year contract.

Now, back to playing--and watching--hockey.

“I expect in two weeks we’ll take second place away from the Kings,” said Ferreira, who lives in Chino Hills. “It’s been so disappointing and we’ve lost a lot of ground. We could have used Paul. The first time he puts the puck in the net, all will be forgiven and forgotten.”

Toward Kariya, anyway. Duck management might have some penance to serve.

“I’m just as excited as anyone to have Paul back,” said Newport Beach’s David Paine, who founded Fans First, a group of disgruntled Duck fans. “But this scar won’t heal overnight. Once the excitement wears off, fans are still going to be confronted with the same problems.

“Will this contract affect ticket prices? What happens in two years when Paul’s contract is up again? What happens when [Teemu] Selanne’s contract is up? There’s some bad blood between fans and management and it’s not going away just because Paul’s on the ice again.”

Duck officials may not be too concerned about the future today. As word of Kariya’s return circulated, fans were buying tickets.

“We’ve been a lot busier today,” said Yuin Choe, a ticket seller at the Pond. “Everyone is asking if Paul has signed and then they buy tickets for [tonight’s] game.”

If the fans were happy, the Duck players, even those who have never played with him, were ecstatic.

“You really don’t know how much a guy means to a team until you actually play with him,” said Tomas Sandstrom, who was with Detroit last season. “One thing I do know, he is one of the best players in the NHL. That’s going to help any team.”

Said Joe Sacco: “You see Paul do his thing and it makes you want to do more yourself.”

No one, though, was happier than Selanne, who has caught the brunt of opposing team’s defensive strategy.

“This is a huge relief,” said Selanne, who has been the team’s captain in Kariya’s absence. “I’ve been proud to wear the ‘C’ on my jersey and I’m very happy to give it back to Paul.”