July 3, 200323 yr c/o espn.com DENVER --Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne signed one-year contracts with the Colorado Avalanche, a source within the NHL told The Associated Press. The signing of the unrestricted free agents, two of the league's top forwards, was to be announced at a 4 p.m. ET news conference later Thursday. Kariya, who played with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks last season, agreed to a $1.2 million contract, according to the league source who spoke Thursday to the AP on condition of anonymity. Selanne, who declined his option at $6.5 million with the San Jose Sharks, agreed to a $5.8 million contract with Colorado, the source said. The source said Kariya had specific reasons for signing the relatively low contract figure, but did not elaborate. Selanne was not expected to be at the news conference, remaining in his homeland of Finland. Kariya, a left wing, had six goals and six assists over 21 games this postseason, helping lead the Mighty Ducks to the NHL finals, where they lost to New Jersey in seven games. The seven-time All-Star has played his entire career in Anaheim, where he was a team leader. He became an unrestricted free agent Monday night when the Ducks declined to make him a qualifying offer, refusing to match the $10 million he made last season. Kariya played in all 82 games for the second consecutive year, and had 25 goals and 56 points. He holds a string of team records, including most career goals (300) and assists (369). Selanne had 28 goals and 64 points last season, leading the team in both categories while improving his two-way game and physical play. He was named the team's most valuable player. In declining his option, Selanne believed he could make more money on the free-agent market. He was one of the most attractive scorers available this summer, although it was unlikely he could get a lucrative long-term deal with the expiration of the NHL's collective bargaining agreement looming in September 2004.
July 3, 200323 yr Intriguing. Kariya taking a slight paycut. Never thought I would see him leave the Ducks.
July 3, 200323 yr Author thank god the Panthers are in the Norris division(i think) the Avs and Wings are gonna be 2 tough teams
July 4, 200323 yr Panthers are in the southeastern division. Norris division? that goes way back to when the nhl had four divisions and when they had names rather than locations. anyways, the norris division was teams like Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota North Stars, etc.
July 4, 200323 yr Author im all mixed up today :lol your totally right i meant league it's Eastern(Panthers) and Western(Avs and Co) right?
July 5, 200323 yr May god help us all. The Av's are gonna be so fu(king good its gonna be unreal! But what have they done about goalie? Cuz all the offense they have may not be able to keep up with the defensive barrage their goalie may recieve...
July 5, 200323 yr Author they'll find a goalie.... it wont matter, they will score 6 goals a night....
July 6, 200323 yr I know thats the thing... Forseberg Sakic Sellane Kariya Foote And 2 or 3 other excellent scorers Jesus christ, this aint good at all.
July 7, 200323 yr im all mixed up today :lol your totally right i meant league it's Eastern(Panthers) and Western(Avs and Co) right? Yup. They still need a goalie...if they don't get one, they ain't going far into the playoffs despite all that firepower :cool
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