Bettman Takes Political Stance

Commissioner Gary Bettman refused to discount a theory that the NHL Players’ Assn. is colluding with Paul Kariya’s agent in an attempt to drive salaries higher. But Bettman cautioned, “I don’t have enough facts to intelligently agree or disagree.”

“If there were collusion and I could prove it, I might scratch my head and try to figure out what I could do about it,” he told a group of Canadian sports editors and reporters in Toronto.

Following the lead of several Duck players, Coach Pierre Page said this week he believes Kariya’s agent, Don Baizley, was “the new right-hand man” of union boss Bob Goodenow.

Goodenow this week dismissed the notion that he’s “coaching” players and agents to hold out in an effort to increase salaries.

According to the prevailing theory, unsigned free agents such as Kariya, the league’s third-leading scorer last season, have been asked to wait until Philadelphia’s Eric Lindros signs a fat contract extension.

The Ducks say they have made two offers to Kariya, but have not received a counteroffer from Baizley. The Ducks’ most recent offer is believed to be $7 million a season.

Asked if the league owes an apology to fans expecting to see Kariya, Bettman said: “In any particular game, we never guarantee as a league who is going to be playing. Sometimes, players just aren’t available.

“We never promised he’d be [in Japan]. The games were a huge success. . . . The papers in Japan were saying this was the most entertaining and exciting product North American sports had ever exported to their country, and the games went on [without Kariya].”

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Rookie center Matt Cullen and second-year defenseman Ruslan Salei were sent to Cincinnati of the American Hockey League. The Ducks could add another forward from Cincinnati to reach the 24-man limit. J.F. Jomphe and Jeff Nielsen are Page’s top candidates for promotion.

TONIGHT’S GAME

Anaheim vs.

Ottawa

* 7:30 p.m.

* Fox Sports West 2

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Ducks 1-1, Senators 2-1-1.

* Record vs. Senators--(1996-97) 2-0.

* Update--Ex-Ducks Sean Hill--who had the first goal in franchise history--Denny Lambert, Ron Tugnutt, Shaun Van Allen and Jason York play key roles for the Senators. General Manager Pierre Gauthier was the Ducks’ assistant general manager for three seasons. The Senators are missing unsigned free agent Daniel Alfredsson. Guy Hebert is expected to start in goal for the Ducks. Center Steve Rucchin (groin strain) and forward Kevin Todd (cut above his eye) are not expected to play until Monday’s game against Boston.