Kariya Contract Talks Put on Hold

The Ducks and Don Baizley, Paul Kariya’s agent, said last month they had briefly talked about a new contract for the standout left wing. But Baizley said Monday the talks have stopped.

“I think it’s important to focus on the puck on the ice, if you know what I mean,” Baizley said. “Paul could use a good stretch of [concentrating on] hockey right now.”

Kariya is in the final season of a two-year, $14-million contract signed in December. His $8.5-million salary ties him with Philadelphia’s Eric Lindros for the NHL’s second-highest this season. Detroit’s Sergei Fedorov leads the league at $14 million.

Kariya missed last season’s first 32 games because of a contract dispute. He was sidelined for the final 28 because of post-concussion syndrome.

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Besides putting an end to the cornball jokes about their nickname, the Ducks’ most pressing task in their six-season history has been developing a potent second line.

Coach Craig Hartsburg believes the Ducks might have a good one in left wing Johan Davidsson, center Travis Green and right wing Tomas Sandstrom.

“Green’s line is key for us,” Hartsburg said. “I thought the [5-3 victory Thursday over the Chicago Blackhawks] was their best game. They are as important as our first line.”

Hartsburg took particular note of Sandstrom’s aggressive play. Sandstrom, trying to rebound from a disappointing 1997-98 season, scored what proved to be the winning goal against Chicago.

“Hopefully, he’s got some confidence back,” Hartsburg said of Sandstrom, who had a career-low nine goals last season. “He battled hard and seemed to be in the middle of everything and that’s when he’s at his best.”

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Hartsburg also was pleased to see center Steve Rucchin pick up his play against Chicago after demoting him to the second line to start the Oct. 13 game against the Montreal Canadiens.

“A lot of things he does go unnoticed,” Hartsburg said. “I don’t think it bothered Steve. He’s a good player.”