Kariya Gets Selanne’s Vote

Teemu Selanne said Wednesday that if it were up to him, he would make Paul Kariya the NHL’s highest-paid player.

“I think he should be in the top two or three, for sure,” Selanne said of his linemate. “There’s [Philadelphia’s Eric] Lindros and there’s Paul. For me, [Kariya] is No. 1. He’s my No. 1 guy.

Their salaries may soon be comparable.

Lindros and the Flyers aren’t as close to agreeing on a $60-million, seven-year contract extension as reported earlier this week. But it’s believed to be only a matter of time before Lindros signs a new deal that could be worth more than $8 million a season.

The Ducks expect to pay Kariya, a restricted free agent who has missed the first two days of training camp awaiting a new contract, more than $7 million per season. The Ducks’ initial offer to Kariya was $25 million for five seasons. Negotiations have stalled while the Ducks await a counteroffer.

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Winger Kevin Todd injured his groin only a few minutes into a scrimmage. His status is day-to-day. . . . Antti Aalto, Matt Cullen, Mike Leclerc and Joe Sacco are candidates to replace Kariya until he reports to camp, Coach Pierre Page said.