Wing- Paul Kariya
Paul Kariya, what else can you say about Kariya that hasn’t already been said. He was a flat out super-star and the original face of the franchise. Kariya played 606 games in a Mighty Ducks uniform. In those 606 the 5 foot 10 inch, 180-pound winger put up 300-369-669. Those numbers are ridiculous even by today’s standards. He is part of a rare breed that succeeded in the 90’s NHL and would be potentially even better if he played today.
Had Kariya stayed healthy, he easily would have eclipsed 700 points. As it stands his goals rank third, assists and points fourth, and his 107 PPG are second behind the one and only Finnish Flash. Kariya had a laser of a shot and was as fast as anyone. He showed that hockey in Anaheim was no gimmick and gave the fans something to cheer about.
There is no doubt Kariya transcends the 90’s in Duck history but he may be the most influential Ducks player of the 90’s. While everyone that came before leaves some kind of legacy, Kariya may leave the biggest one, sans for one player.