Sather Applauds Disney’s Stance

Count Glen Sather, Edmonton Oiler general manager, among those applauding the Ducks’ hard-line stance with unsigned restricted free agent Paul Kariya.

“I commend them for what they’re doing,� Sather told an Edmonton reporter. “[Disney chairman] Michael Eisner is not trying to set an example. All I think he’s doing is trying to run his team as a business. You just can’t keep passing this on to the fans [with higher ticket prices]. You reach a point where you can’t go any further and I think we’ve reached that point.

“Obviously, Disney has come to that conclusion too. I think they are being a pretty good example to the other teams in the league.�

Of course, it’s easy for Sather to admire the Ducks.

First, Kariya’s continued absence means Sather’s Oilers have a better shot at slipping past the Ducks to snare a playoff berth.

Second, if salaries are kept in check league-wide, the cash-strapped Oilers can better compete with financial heavyweights such as the Ducks and New York Rangers.

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Olympic team roundup: Kariya is expected to be among the 23 players named to the Canadian Olympic team during a live special tonight on the Canadian Broadcasting Co.’s “Hockey Night in Canada� telecast.

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Defenseman Bobby Dollas, sidelined since suffering a slashed tendon in his left forearm Oct. 28 at Toronto, has been cleared to play tonight.

TONIGHT

at Calgary

* 7:30 PST

* Channel 9

Site--Canadian Airlines Saddledome, Calgary.

Radio--KRLA 1110, KCKC 1350.

Records--Ducks 11-11-5, Flames 4-15-7.

Record vs. Flames--1-0.

Update--The Ducks won the first meeting, 4-3, on Scott Young’s overtime goal Nov. 7 at Calgary. The Flames are 1-7-5 in their last 13 games and winless at home in November. Goaltender Rick Tabaracci has started six consecutive games. He is 2-10-4 with a 3.09 goals-against average in 16 games this season. Center Cory Stillman is the Flames’ leading goal-scorer with 10 goals.