Disney May Be Showing Interest Again

Mighty Duck General Manager Pierre Gauthier met with players last week in an attempt to reassure them of Disney’s commitment to the team, sources said.

Disney has had the Ducks on the market for several months, but has found no buyers, several sources have said. But Gauthier told players that company officials intend to become more involved with the Ducks, who have fallen from being a playoff team in 1998-99 to probably missing the postseason for the third consecutive year.The Ducks, who have won five consecutive games, are 14th out of 15 conference teams this season.

Gauthier’s rare meeting with players came in the wake of trade rumors. In what seemed like a white-flag moment, Gauthier has indicated to other teams he is willing to trade 10 players in the organization, including six currently with the Ducks.

Players declined to comment about the meeting or the trade speculation. Gauthier did not return phone calls Monday.

The Ducks were founded in 1993 and were as much a personal venture as a business decision by Disney CEO Michael Eisner.

But Eisner, who once took trips with the team, has been a rare visitor at the Pond in recent seasons. He has repeatedly refused to comment on the Ducks.

Players have been left to defend their absentee owner.

When asked earlier this season about Eisner’s seemingly diminished interest, team captain Paul Kariya said: “He’s a huge hockey fan and always has been and always will be. Even when he’s in Europe, the Internet is always there and he’s watching games and keeping up with it.”

But Eisner has made only cameo appearances at the Pond and one drop-by visit, after a game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden this season.

“Michael came down to talk to us after the game in New York to reiterate his feelings about the team and the importance of the team in the overall picture of Disney,” Kariya said.

“Obviously we’re just like a minute speck in the stuff they have. But we’re in the papers every day. He reiterated our importance to the Walt Disney Company.”

Defenseman Ruslan Salei has decided not to play one game for his native Belarus in the Olympic preliminary round, which begins Saturday. Salei had intended on playing in the Monday game against France, but changed his mind after talking with Belarus team officials.

If Salei played in that game, Belarus would have to play the two other qualifying games with one fewer player. Rosters for the three preliminary games can not be changed.

Salei said he would play if Belarus made Olympic final-round play, which begins Feb. 15.

The Ducks went through a semi-intense practice Monday, which had defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky and left wing Mike Leclerc coming to blows during a drill in front of the net. The two exchanged shoves and had to be restrained by teammates.

“It was a game situation and we were battling,” Tverdovsky said.

Said Leclerc: “That’s just hockey, hitting guys, taking some hits.”

Kariya, who played in Saturday’s All-Star game, did not practice for a second consecutive day. Coach Bryan Murray said he gave Kariya permission to work out on his own Monday.