Paul Kariya to miss all of next season
Veteran winger Paul Kariya is expected to miss all of next season having recently been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. Kariya spent last season with the St. Louis Blues and is currently an unrestricted free agent.
Kariya was taken fourth overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 1993 National Hockey League entry draft. He spent nine seasons in Anaheim making a name for himself as one of the League’s best snipers. Kariya would then join the Colorado Avalanche for the 2003-04 season. After the lock-out he signed with the Nashville Predators playing with the club for two seasons before joining the Blues.
There was a great deal of speculation as to where Kariya would end up next season. As a skilled veteran who is still capable of a 20-goal season, there was thought to be interest from several camps, most notably the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ducks.
However, the question for Kariya is now whether or not the often injured all-star will be able to recover from a full season away from the game at 35 years old?
The speedy Kariya has put up impressive numbers throughout his career and currently averages a point-per-game in his 989 career NHL competitions. Nevertheless, in 15 seasons he has struggled to remain healthy on a year-to-year basis. As recently as the 2008-09 season Kariya missed all but 11 games with injuries, and suffered a concussion last year that kept him out of the line-up at the end of the season.
It is extremely unlikely that a team will take a chance on the British Columbia native this season and it remains to be seen as to whether or not he will be given another shot in 2011-12 as a 36-year-old.
Last season with the Blues Kariya notched 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points.
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