DUCKS REPORT : Kariya’s Feeling Good

Paul Kariya’s rookie season was shortened by a lockout in 1994-95. A lower abdominal strain sidelined him for the first 11 games of 1996-97. A contract dispute kept him out for the first 32 games of 1997-98.

And then there are those nagging questions last year after his fourth concussion put his future in doubt.

However, there were no distractions or injuries to slow the Duck captain on the first day of practice Sunday at Disney Ice in Anaheim.

A broken right foot, suffered while blocking a shot in Game 3 of the playoffs against Detroit, has healed and Kariya reported no pain or soreness.

“My foot felt good. I’ve got a bit of a hip problem, but that’s from doing [weightlifting],” Kariya said. “So, I want to take it easy for the first week or so.”

Then shifting the conversation somewhat, he added, “I’m excited to start every season, but especially this year. There have been almost no changes. It’s the same coaching staff. It’s the same system. About 95% of the guys are back.”

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The first day of practice was not without some bad news. Defenseman Kevin Haller, suffering from a sore right knee, was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam. “I hope it’s something minor,” he said.

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Pierre Gauthier, team president and general manager, said he has adopted a new media policy. “I’m making it a rule, no more talk about the payroll for a whole year,” he said.

Naturally, Gauthier spent the next 20 minutes discussing financial issues in hockey.

“One thing I really believe is that teams shouldn’t negotiate deals past the start of training camp,” he said. “I told [Ruslan Salei’s] agent, ‘We better do it now [agree to a new deal, which they did Saturday] because once camp starts I’m not talking to you.’ ”

The Ducks are one of a handful of teams with all their players signed and in camp. Salei was the last to sign.