Is Ducks’ Page Trying to Have It Both Ways?

After Paul Kariya was injured by Gary Suter, Pierre Page is quoted as saying [Times, Feb. 3], “I’ve been screaming about this for the past few years. We’ve got to stop the open season on skilled players. I’m all for it.”

Perhaps he should start “screaming” at his own players. It’s ironic that he’s agreeing with Brett Hull, whose hand Tomas Sandstrom slashed and broke on Dec. 27. (Sandstrom also slashed and broke the tip of Craig Conroy’s thumb in the same game--perhaps he was going for the broken bone hat trick?)

Page also said, “Maybe if a team loses a guy for a 20-game suspension, it will straighten things out.” Sandstrom was not suspended at all, so Page should have been happy with Suter’s four-game penalty.

JOHN SCHIERMEIER

Burbank

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I wrote you a letter at the beginning of the season, saying that the Ducks would not be a Stanley Cup contender with Pierre Page as coach, even with Paul Kariya. And that statement has never looked better. Ron Wilson knew how to coach this team. Page is lost and so are the players. It’s another example of how management ego can ruin a team.

On the other hand, Dave Taylor has excelled at his job with the Kings and Larry Robinson is holding steady. Maybe they should pick up Marty McSorley for the playoffs.

BRIAN KOWALCHUK

Los Angeles