Kariya May Be Ready for Opener

By CHRIS FOSTER

Sept. 30, 1999 12 AM PT

Paul Kariya, sounding more confident, said he is hoping to build his workouts toward playing in the Ducks’ opener Saturday in Dallas. Meanwhile, right wing Ladislav Kohn, practicing for the first time since being acquired, filled in for Kariya on the top line, just in case.

Kariya tested his injured left hip for 45 minutes, including two non-contact drills. Kohn skated with Teemu Selanne and Matt Cullen for the rest of Wednesday’s practice.

“I’m going to give it a try [at being ready Saturday],” said Kariya, who will practice with the team today. “It feels a lot better. There is no pain, other than the usual pain.”

Kariya has increased his off-ice workouts in an attempt to strengthen his legs. He did not play during the exhibition season.

“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow after he skates with the team,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said.

Kohn, acquired from the expansion Atlanta Thrashers on Monday, may be asked to temporarily take Kariya’s spot. He is a fast skater and has shown the ability to score in the minor leagues.

Kohn skated with the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top line for a time last season but struggled after that.

“I played five or six games with Steve Thomas and Mats Sundin and did good,” Kohn said. “Then Fredrik Modin came back and I was put on the fourth line and did the things you do on the fourth line--dump the puck and try to create energy.

“At the end of the day, you looked at the stat sheet and you saw Kohn had no goals and maybe one assist. That’s not a good sign.”

Defenseman Kevin Haller, who practiced with the Ducks for the first time Wednesday, looks close to being ready.

“My timing is still off a little,” said Haller, who had off-season knee surgery. “I’m still hoping everything will be OK.”