The Mighty Ducks signed F Paul Kariya to a two-year
contract that is reportedly worth $14M. The deal will pay
Kariya $5.5M this season and $8.5M in '98-99. Kariya missed
the first ten weeks of the NHL season -- 32 games -- in his
holdout (Elliott Teaford, L.A. TIMES, 12/12).
RAISING THE BAR? The deal "seemingly has opened the
window" for the Flyers' Eric Lindros to "receive the richest
contract in NHL history," according to USA TODAY's Kevin
Allen. Agent Brian Cook: "We can all assume Lindros will
set the market this summer off that number." Another agent,
Steve Bartlett said the possibility of Lindros topping the
$10M mark is "not out of the realm" (USA TODAY, 12.12). In
Philadelphia, Les Bowen writes that the "elusive framework"
for what a "top-caliber" NHL star gets "might have been set"
with the deal. Bowen: "You have to assume the Flyers must
offer Lindros at least $8.5 million for next season and $10
million or so for the year after that. ... And it would seem
that Lindros wouldn't be able to seek a whole lot more than
that" (Les Bowen, PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 12/12).
EVEN THE LOSERS...: USA TODAY's Allen adds that NHL
owners, who were "privately applauding Disney's tough
negotiating stance ... were surprised and disappointed" that
the Ducks "seemed to blink" (USA TODAY, 12/12). In
Toronto, Damien Cox calls Disney's move "a cave-in with
long-term consequences." Cox: "Custer did better. At least
he died trying" (STAR, 12/12). In L.A., Bill Plaschke
writes on Kariya's comment that there were "no winners" in
his holdout: "During player introductions tonight, he will
understand just how wrong he is. He won. Disney lost. He
will be greeted as a hero" (L.A. TIMES, 12/12).
