Even taking stock of Kariya missing about 30 games due to injury, the 2003-04 season is a complete aberration for two players playing at or close to their prime.
What happened?
What happened?
Selanne had no legs that season.
Why?
Why?
His knees were basically done.
During the lockout, he undertook surgery and rehabbed the knee for the entire year. Upon his return to the NHL, he was ready and willing to go.
We all know Selanne's reasons. The post lockout Selanne brought him back to the 1992-'00 version that we all remembered. Or at least an older version of that guy.
Kariya, I really don't know.
Also, why did Kariya sign such a low contract that year?
Also, why did Kariya sign such a low contract that year?
Under the rules, if he signed for below league average, he'd be a true UFA the rest of his career. (At the time there were classes of UFAs, some of which had future strings).
The Colorado Avalanche made a qualifying offer to Paul Kariya ($1.32 million), but he's expected to exercise his rights to become a Group V unrestricted free agent, a 10-year veteran making less than the league average salary.
Kariya, who wasn't qualified last year by Anaheim, took a pay cut from $10 million to guarantee himself Group V rights and to join the Avalanche in a package deal with friend Teemu Selanne.