Selanne Finds Link Missing

Everybody misses Paul Kariya these days. The Anaheim fans, the coaching staff, the league office, the guys who put together the highlight reels on “SportsCenter.” Everybody.

But nobody misses him as much as Teemu Selanne.

Together, Kariya and Selanne were on the verge of becoming the Mantle and Maris of the NHL a year ago. They tore it up. They fed off one another. They combined for 95 goals and 113 assists to give the Mighty Ducks the best one-two punch in the sport.

The Ducks, without Kariya, have found scoring goals this season about as easy as shoppers finding a bargain at Neiman-Marcus at Christmastime.

The Ducks are 1-2-1 because of their ineptness on offense. The defense has allowed only eight goals in four games (2.0 per game). But the offense has produced only six (1.5 per game). No Ducks player has scored more than once.

Goalie suspended

The Vancouver Canucks suspended goaltender Corey Hirsch after he refused to report to their American Hockey League affiliate in Syracuse. Canucks left wing Martin Gelinas is expected to miss two to four weeks with a sprained right knee.

LeClair gets new pact

Philadelphia Flyers left wing John LeClair will sign a new contract with the team today.

On the ice

Backup goalie Kevin Hodson made 30 saves for defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit, which improved to 5-0-1 with a 3-2 win at Toronto. … Tom Barrasso made 36 saves for his 24th career shutout as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Rangers 1-0 in New York. … Derian Hatcher, playing his first game of the season, scored the tying goal for Dallas with 1:14 remaining in regulation and Dave Reid’s goal in overtime gave the Stars a 5-4 victory over the visiting Calgary Flames.