Japanese Fans Won’t See Kariya or Tavares

Paul Kariya won’t be the only one missing when the Ducks play Vancouver on Friday and Saturday in Japan. Team President Tony Tavares is not making the trip either. Tavares said last week he did not want to be out of the country for a lengthy trip.

Also staying home is David McNab, assistant general manager, who will remain in Anaheim this week to prepare for the Ducks’ home opener, Oct. 10.

“There are an awful lot of league matters that need to be done before the season,” McNab said. “We need someone here to see that they are done accurately.”

McNab will fly to Cincinnati this weekend to watch the team’s minor league franchise, the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, open its season.

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The stalled contract talks with Kariya have prompted lots of one-liners around the league.

King center Ray Ferraro, discussing his team on a radio talk show, said: “I think we have more depth. We don’t have Paul Kariya, but neither do they.”