Agent Is Link for Kariya, Suter

Chicago Blackhawk defenseman Gary Suter hasn’t spoken directly to Paul Kariya since injuring him with a cross-check to the jaw Feb. 1, but they have been communicating through Don Baizley--the agent for both players.

“I’ve talked to both of them and passed along how each other feels,” said Baizley, whose clients also include the Ducks’ Teemu Selanne. “Gary has made a point of saying how bad he feels about Paul’s injury. Obviously, people recognize it wasn’t a clean check. That’s over now. It can’t be re-winded.”

Baizley, who attended Friday’s game against the San Jose Sharks, had hoped to meet with Kariya. But he failed to reach him Friday.

Kariya continues to suffer from post-concussion syndrome and his return to the Duck lineup this season is in serious doubt.

He has been troubled by headaches and dizziness for five weeks. The Duck medical staff wants him to be free of those symptoms for at last that long before clearing him to play again.

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Kariya also hasn’t spoken to enforcer Shawn Antoski, who suffered a fractured skull in a Nov. 24 auto wreck on the Costa Mesa Freeway and has been cleared to resume skating this week.

“I know exactly what he’s going through,” Antoski said of Kariya. “Teemu and I were talking about Paul’s situation the other day. I can understand if [Kariya] is going stir crazy.”

Kariya has been instructed to stay away from the rink. It’s believed the time away will help his symptoms subside. Antoski went through a similar period while recovering from his injuries and believes it will be for the best for Kariya.

“He’s definitely one guy we don’t want to lose [to a career-ending injury],” Antoski said. “Players like him don’t come along very often. He’s definitely one of the star players in the league. Players like me come and go in the blink of an eye.”