It’s a Strange Sight for Kariya

Paul Kariya could play hockey in a hurricane and not know it’s windy, so intense is his concentration. But he acknowledged it was “different, for sure,” to face the Mighty Ducks, with whom he had suffered and exulted with from 1994-95 to last summer before he signed with the Avalanche in a package deal with Teemu Selanne.

“I spent nine years with those guys and you’re playing against them, so it’s strange,” he said. “A guy like Steve Rucchin, I spent my life with, basically.”

Kariya missed 21 games -- including the Avalanche’s first two games against the Ducks -- because of a sprained right wrist, and he’s playing with a brace. He has six goals and 10 points in 12 games, including five points in five games since returning.

Selanne, who had missed Colorado’s previous game because of a sore neck and jaw and fuzzy vision, played on the other side of Joe Sakic, who wore a face shield to protect a broken jaw. Peter Forsberg has also missed considerable time, but all were flying Tuesday, close to what Kariya had in mind when he signed for $1.2 million, a cut of $8.8 million from last season.

“We’ve got everyone healthy, probably for the first time since the first couple of games,” he said, undoubtedly unaware that defenseman Rob Blake left the game because of an unspecified hand injury. “Joe and Teemu and I haven’t played that much together. We played pretty good hockey [but] we’re not there yet.”

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Dan Bylsma, expected to clear waivers today, was invited to meet with General Manager Bryan Murray to discuss his future. Bylsma could accept an assignment to Cincinnati and continue playing, with an eye toward perhaps working for the organization in some capacity.

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-- Helene Elliott