Kariya’s Work Ethic Impresses New Coach

Like every Duck coach before him, Guy Charron marvels at captain Paul Kariya’s devotion to improving himself, his endless stretching and off-ice routines in the weight room. But Charron expressed concern about the effect this lost season has had on Kariya’s mental well-being.

“He takes the lack of success of our team personally,” Charron said. “He feels he has to do more to help the team. In all due respect to him, it’s not a one-man game. He puts a lot of pressure on himself. Like a lot of players, he plays his best when he plays on instinct, when he feels comfortable about the team.

“Now, because we haven’t generated a lot of success, he puts a lot of pressure on himself.”

Pressure or not, Kariya has regained his form in recent games. A first-period assist Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers extended his point streak to five games. At last, he seems fit after a 16-game absence because of a broken foot.

“He’s a pretty unique person,” Charron said. “He’s a young man who, from the time he gets up in the morning until it’s time to play at night, he’s focused on the task at hand. It’s a great attribute.”

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With the news this week that Jean-Sebastien Giguere will be the Ducks’ top goalie the rest of the season, how long will it be for the Guy Hebert trade rumors heat up?

Hebert has one more season on his contract with the Ducks, who owe him $3.8 million for 2001-02.

Several teams, including the Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks, could be in the market for an experienced goalie for the stretch run and the playoffs. The question is do they want to take a shot on Hebert, who is 0-11-2 in his last 13 starts and has a 12-23-4 record and a 3.12 goals-against average this season? Plus, Hebert must waive his no-trade clause in order to clear the way for the Ducks to deal him.

The trade deadline is March 13.

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As expected, center German Titov did not play Wednesday against the Oilers. Rookie Marc Chouinard, recalled Tuesday from Cincinnati of the American Hockey League, replaced Titov but did not take his spot on the third line.