The world of hockey throws us curveballs all the time, this one was a knee buckler.
The news that forward Paul Kariya will not be playing hockey this season due to post concussion syndrome has caught just about all of us off guard, including the St. Louis Blues organization.
When I first heard the news I assumed he must have injured himself surfing this summer with his buddy and NFL All-Pro Troy Palamalu.
Turns out I wasn’t the only one surprised by the news.
Kariya’s concussion problems during his career have been well documented including last December when he was kept overnight in a St. Louis hospital following an elbow to the head courtesy of Buffalo forward Patrick Kaleta. The blow forced Kariya to miss six games but he returned without complaining of any lingering effects related to the concussion.
In fact, Kariya played his best hockey as a St. Louis Blue after returning from injury. He finished the season with 12 points during the month of March and 14 points in the final 19 games of the season.
It’s puzzling why we are just now hearing Kariya's been experienceing post concussion syndrome . This news comes to us after he’s been entertaining offers for NHL teams all summer.
The Blues are no different than any other NHL club in terms of how serious they take injuries to the head. Kariya obviously passed the necessary tests to return to the lineup after missing six games in late December and early January. Every player is also subjected to exit physical examinations following the season and I'm told he checked out ok. Every player signs a release following the exit physical stating he is in good health.
You can argue the news of Kariya’s ongoing concussion symptoms could unfairly question the Blues decision to allow him to return to the ice so quickly last January. I don’t see the Blues Doctors allowing this guy to play unless he was fully cleared medically. Not to mention how in tune Kariya is in with his body. He takes a Zen like approach to his training and I can guarantee you he wouldn’t have put skates on unless he felt he was good to go.
The idea of Kariya not playing htis season doesn’t come as a huge shock. But the fact that post concussion syndrome is the reason why certainly is surprising.
You might recall a story I wrote on April 1st where Kariya told me he hadn’t yet decided if he even wanted to continue his NHL career beyond this season. He told numerous teammates last year that he may decide to retire at the end of the year.
His agent told me this summer that it has to be the right fit for him to return to the NHL in 2010-2011. There definitely was some discussion between Kariya and Anaheim and it appeared returning to Southern California would be an option. As I've written numerous times, Ducks Head Coach Randy Carlyle called at least one Blues player to inquire about the former Canadian Olympian. Just a few weeks ago Anaheim equipment personnel contacted people inside the Blues organization to learn specifics on Kariya. This is a common practice between equipment trainers in the NHL to find out how a player likes his skates sharpened etc…
I’ve spoke with a few people who have been in contact with Kariya in the last week. They tell me Paul was in good spirits and gave no indication he would not be playing hockey this winter.
Numerous Blues players inform me they had “no idea” he was still suffering from ongoing head issues. One player went as far as to call it “strange” that the injury he suffered in December would still be plaguing him today. If Kariya was still dealing with head issues last season after his return he did an admirable job of hiding it and keeping it quiet.
Who are we to say though? We're talking about a brain injury and it is possible a player may feel fine one day only to suffer recurring symptoms a number of days later.
No one besides Paul truly knows what he’s going through. I would never sit here and try to guess whether or not he’s healthy enough to play NHL hockey. You would think that his agent or Paul would have alerted teams this summer of his ongoing symptoms related to concussions while they were discussing a potential NHL contract. Again this news seems to come way out of left field.
All I remember last season is Kariya telling me over and over again, including after his return from injury, that he hadn’t felt this good in years. Word is Kariya hasn’t officially retired but this news could keep a potential team from taking a flyer on him in the future. At the end of the day all that really matters is that Kariya is able to live a normal life and if sitting out this season increases the chances of that happening then it’s hard not to support his decision. I enjoyed my time covering Paul, there’s no doubt he goes about his business a little different that other NHL players but he was a fun player to cover and I certainly respect this guy as a hockey player. Even though Kariya once told his teammates “The media is not your friend” I can honestly say he’s a good guy and I wish him all the best.
Rink Rats!
Did Willie Mitchell really get $7 million from Los Angeles after playing only 48 games last season? Wow, kudos to agent Mike Liut!
There is no question many people connected to the New Jersey Devils are turned off by the ongoing Ilya Kovalchuk saga. On person closely connected to the team tells me “The Kovvy situation is painful, quite embarrassing in my opinion”
Don’t forget Devils forward Brian Rolston signed his current deal when he was 35 years old and therefore his $5 million plus cap hit can’t be hid in the minors.
I’m still slightly turned off by some comments made by Leafs GM Brian Burke in relation to Billy Sweatt’s agent Scot Norton. To imply Sweatt would have been better served if he had a more experienced agent was completely unnecessary and unprofessional.
Once again this summer Burkie comes across as the “Big Bad Wolf” only this wolf once again fails to blow the house down. In the meantime Burke has created an unhealthy environment for one of his better players heading into training camp in Tomas kaberle. I’m sure the player and the rest of his teammates are looking forward to the distraction their very own GM has created. How you drag your own player through the mud with trade rumors and then don’t even move the player is beyond me.
In my opinion I think both Kaberle and Ricky Curran have handled the situation perfectly.
I’m open to any possible rule changes down the road but let’s not go overboard. John Davidson recently reminded me that back in the early 1970’s the NHL tested an interesting rule during the pre-season. Anyone remember a situation where the puck was placed to either the right or the left of the goaltender and a player got to take a un-contested bad angle shot on goal much like a free kick in soccer? The rebound was a live puck and play went on. Thankfully that rule didn’t stick. I’m all for evolving the game but within reason.
Former Vancouver Canuck Ryan Johnson is receiving interest from a few teams. He’s one of several players waiting for a team to make a roster move or two to create the necessary space.
As I reported earlier this week Billy Guerin will not be returning to Pittsburgh but still has options he’s exploring.
Theo Fleury is training for Battle of the Blades with former Olympic and World Champion Jamie Sale which leads to speculation they will be paired together when the show returns to CBC in Canada this fall.
Well known Strength coach Matt Nichol runs an outstanding skate in the Toronto area featuring many NHL player’s including Matt Stajan, Brad Boyes, Carlo Colaiacovo, Tyler Seguin, Mike Cammalleri, Scott Gomez, Andrew Cogliano, Wojtek Wolski, and P.k Subban among others.
Blues Clues!
I can’t tell you how impressed I was after sitting down and chatting with Blues first rounder Jaden Schwartz. He’s an awesome kid. The first thing that pops out is his skating when watching him play. He does a nice job using multiple gears.
Schwartz stayed with former Blues first rounder Alex Pietrangelo while he was in town.
Speaking of Pietrangelo, his chances of making the team have increased after the Blues elected not to bring in another veteran D-man. He must first begin to play and think the game at NHL speed. The kid has all the talent in the world and is much stronger than how he plays. I love the fact the Blues aren’t just giving him a roster spot and are making him earn it. He’ll feel much better after earning a roster spot vs. having one handed to him.
Vladimir Sobotka is the only player on a one-way deal who will be limited health wise heading into camp as he’s coming off shoulder surgery. He had dinner with GM Doug Armstrong and Head Coach Davis Payne earlier this summer.
Blues director of Amateur Scouting Bill Armstrong ran his hockey school in Providence this summer that he started with Flyers Head Coach Peter Laviolette 11 years ago.
Both Chris Pronger and Doug Weight were back in town visiting in recent days.
I thought it was great to hear Erik Johnson presented Jaden Schwarts with a #17 Blues jersey for him to give to his sister Mandi who is battling Leukemia. Every Blues player who is in town signed the jersey. Mandi wears #17 at Yale University. Total class move by both the Blues as well as Johnson.
The Blues are planning watch parties so fans can see Kelly Chase participate in the Battle of the Blades television show coming this fall. Location is to be determined.
Chase by the way has dropped over 40 pounds while training several hours a day with former USA Olympian Kyoko Ina.
Ina has done some power skating work with the local 1999 AAA Blues during her time in St. Louis.
Alex Steen recently held his annual charity golf tournament in Winnipeg. Jonathan Toews and Bobby Hull served as the honorary co-chairs for the event. Proceeds from the event go to the Amadeus Steen Foundation in honor of the late brother of Blues forwad Alex Steen.
Blues training camp kicks off on September 17th for the annual beep testing with practices beginning on September 18th. The first two days will take place at the Blues practice facility inside the St. Louis mills.
The Blues will also hold a used equipment sale at the Mills on September 17th as well.
If you’re not in Toronto or Montreal shouldn’t every Blues player be in town right about now working out with the team?
Erik Johnson is renting out Jamal Mayers house this season. Chris Mason rented from Mayers last season.
It was great to see so much support from the Blues at the first annual AAA Blues fundraising dinner. John Davidson, Larry Pleau, Bruce Affleck, Ray Bennett, Brad Shaw, Mike Caruso, Blake Dunlop, Kelly Chase, Erik Johnson, Phillip McRae, Cam Janssen, and hall of Famer Al Macinnis
Here’s to Patrik Berglund realizing his potential this season.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
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St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
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