These Ducks Are Mighty Good Pals Friends On And Off The Ice, Selanne, Kariya Give Anaheim Some Punch

Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya are more than linemates for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. On the ice, they’re never far from each other. Off it, they’re best friends.

When Kariya was holding out, Selanne talked to him on the phone every week.

“So much passion and love between us,” Selanne said, laughing.

There’s no shortage of money between them, especially after Kariya signed a two-year contract worth $14 million Dec. 11.

“I think Paul has to buy every dinner and lunch,” Selanne said. “The rest of the year, too.”

The Ducks are banking on Kariya to prove he’s worth every dollar. He did in his first game after missing 32, scoring two goals and assisting on two in a 6-4 victory over Washington.

Selanne set up Kariya’s third goal in the next game, a 6-2 loss to Toronto, and his fourth Friday in a 6-2 loss to Phoenix. As good a tandem as they are - maybe the best in the league - they won’t win every game.

But the Ducks are not going to get shut out five times in 12 games again.

“The big thing is, we do enjoy playing with each other,” Kariya said. “You have to enjoy the guys you’re playing with. We both have a lot of speed and a lot of pace, and we try to use that to our advantage. I think most importantly, we’re both unselfish players. Whoever has the best scoring chance gets the puck.”

Aside from Selanne, the Ducks weren’t scoring much before Kariya signed. Their 2.19 goals a game would have been lower if not for Selanne, who scored 24 of the team’s first 70 goals.

Kariya’s image shouldn’t take a hit if he scores.

“I hope people understand,” said Kariya, 23. “I know it’s hard, talking about the dollars that we’re talking about. But I’m glad it’s over with and I think the best way to get rid of any damage that might have been done on both my part and the Ducks’ part is to play well for the team’s best success.”

As team captain, Kariya said he prefers to lead by example. Does that mean Selanne will hold out when it’s time to negotiate?

“Depends,” said Selanne, who signed a long-term deal with the Winnipeg Jets in 1995 before they traded him to the Ducks. “I’m not going to complain about my contract. I knew at that time when I signed, if the only problem I would have was that I’m a little bit underpaid, things are pretty good.”