Kariya is an odd-case. I have never seen a player, especially a Canadian player, being so media-shy ... I can't even say he's media shy actually ... more like media-terrified.
But yes, while he's played almost full season the last few years, Kariya has never been the same after the series of big injuries early in his career, and he's never turned into the player that was anticipated of him at the draft because of injuries. If he was born in the modern era, which is more protective of players against check from behinds, and now head-hunting, he might have turned into a more dominant player.
In any case, don't even THINK about signing him. Toronto is the last city Kariya will sign with. I actually think between retiring and signing with Toronto he'll simply retire. He can't stand our media for a day.