Kariya Still Open to Returning

Paul Kariya may consider re-signing with the Mighty Ducks but will explore all options, his agent, Don Baizley, said Tuesday.

Kariya, the Ducks’ captain, became an unrestricted free agent Monday night when General Manager Bryan Murray did not give him a qualifying offer. Kariya made $10 million last season and the Ducks had to at least match that with a one-year deal.

“I don’t think Paul has closed his mind to anything,” Baizley said when asked whether Kariya would consider re-signing with the Ducks. “He is saying, ‘All right, realistically, what are the options? What process do I follow? What options do I pursue?’ He’s taking time to think about the situation.”

Kariya had 25 goals, the lowest full-season total of his career, playing in a defense-oriented system. But he also had 56 assists, tying him for eighth in the NHL. He had six goals and 12 points during the playoffs, helping the Ducks reach the Stanley Cup finals.

Murray said he’d had initial discussions with Baizley about Kariya’s contract, but that they’d never reached a point where numbers were talked about.

“There was a buzz that this was a possibility,” Baizley said. “Bryan and I had a couple discussions, but they were just ‘what-if?’ discussions. Bryan called [Monday] evening and said they had decided not to qualify Paul. He said he knew it was a risk and that they still hoped to sign Paul.”

Baizley said there was no animosity.

“The Ducks have a right not to issue a qualifying offer,” he added.

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The Ducks also allowed center Adam Oates, their marquee free-agent signing last summer, to become an unrestricted free agent. Murray said Oates had declined an offer, believed to be for one year at $2.2 million.

Murray has started negotiations to sign goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the playoffs.

Pat Brisson, the agent for Detroit center Sergei Fedorov, included the Ducks among the teams he sent contract proposals.

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Left wing Mike Leclerc and right wing Dan Bylsma had arthroscopic surgery on their left knees last week in Toronto. Both are expected to be ready by training camp.