Ducks Re-Sign Scott Niedermayer to 1-Year, $6 Million Contract posted by Jeff Ponder

As expected, the Ducks have brought back their captain.

Scott Niedermayer, the man who made up his mind to return to the Ducks just before the NHL Draft on Friday, has signed a 1-year deal reportedly worth $6 million.  The Ducks traded star defenseman Chris Pronger on draft day, knowing that Niedermayer wanted to return to his team. 

Scott registered 59 points from the blue line in 2008-09, which is a steady drop from his career-high 69 points in the 2006-07 campaign.  His abilities have steadily decreased in that time, but is still considered a strong 2-way defenseman.  Scott's best attribute though may be his leadership abilities on the ice though, which is very important to have in an ever-changing Ducks roster.  With the addition of Ryan Whitney in the 2009 Trade Deadline, the Ducks still have a formidable power-play even after the loss of Chris Pronger.

Niedermayer's return could mean the return of brother Rob, a defensive forward that is currently an unrestricted free-agent with the Ducks as well. Continue reading "Ducks Re-Sign Scott Niedermayer to ..."

Retirement questions return for Ducks posted by Andy Charles

As the hockey-watching world concentrates on the final two rounds of the NHL play-offs, the people of Orange County are again on retirement watch as questions about Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne’s future again rear their ugly head.

For the third season running, the Ducks go into the summer trading and draft season not knowing if two of their prized veterans are going to be around at the Honda Center again next season, and it’s becoming more and more of a worry as the years tick on and the veterans get older.

Niedermayer is coming off a great season, adding 10 play-off points to a 59-point regular campaign and as usual showing the grit and heart that should be expected of a captain.

Likewise Selanne showed few signs of slowing down, apart from one spell out injured, although his chemistry with the Ducks rookies wasn’t quite as strong in the post-season and his best performance came in the sickening game seven defeat by Detroit, when he intriguingly had less ice-time than grinders like Drew Miller and Todd Marchant.

Selanne has already inferred that his decision is linked to whatever Niedermayer decides to do, but is the time right for the Ducks to sever ties early and move on?

No doubt, Niedermayer would be a huge loss, but Ryan Whitney’s arrival at the trade deadline gives the Ducks a player who could easily fit in to the No 1 pairing with Chris Pronger, and there would be a chance to re-sign Francois Beauchemin as well and return him to a bigger role.

Up front, after the top line, things do not look so solid and Selanne’s departure could make that worse…but would you place a hockey bet on it?

posted by Andy Charles

As the hockey-watching world concentrates on the final two rounds of the NHL play-offs, the people of Orange County are again on retirement watch as questions about Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne’s future again rear their ugly head.

For the third season running, the Ducks go into the summer trading and draft season not knowing if two of their prized veterans are going to be around at the Honda Center again next season, and it’s becoming more and more of a worry as the years tick on and the veterans get older.

Niedermayer is coming off a great season, adding 10 play-off points to a 59-point regular campaign and as usual showing the grit and heart that should be expected of a captain.

Likewise Selanne showed few signs of slowing down, apart from one spell out injured, although his chemistry with the Ducks rookies wasn’t quite as strong in the post-season and his best performance came in the sickening game seven defeat by Detroit, when he intriguingly had less ice-time than grinders like Drew Miller and Todd Marchant.

Selanne has already inferred that his decision is linked to whatever Niedermayer decides to do, but is the time right for the Ducks to sever ties early and move on?

No doubt, Niedermayer would be a huge loss, but Ryan Whitney’s arrival at the trade deadline gives the Ducks a player who could easily fit in to the No 1 pairing with Chris Pronger, and there would be a chance to re-sign Francois Beauchemin as well and return him to a bigger role.

Up front, after the top line, things do not look so solid and Selanne’s departure could make that worse…but would you place a hockey bet on it?

Western Conference Rolls Along! posted by Joshua Tarkoff

I have a confession to make. I love the Canucks. I really have loved them ever since the worst trade in NHL history when my beloved Panthers gave Luongo away for nothing. I know he is great and that team has a ton of fast guys with a lot of talent. For some reason, I really want them to win. What a job they did last night finishing off the Blues. Hey some big time people picked the Blues to win, since they were so hot coming down the stretch. So,no prediction is even needed for Vancouver. All I know is, I do not know of any team that wants to face the Canucks in the 2nd round.

Onto the series that are still going on...Sharks/Ducks. What a series this is. I think this is the best one we have going (no disrespect to NJ/CAR). It is a bit tough in Florida to be able to watch all of this series, but every second that I have seen has been awesome. Huge hits, I mean huge and every goal has been hard fought. I think this series will come down to who makes the least number of mistakes. That was especially true last night. Both teams are solid and the difference is going to be very small. I have to go with SJ here, they did not win President's trophy for nothing. 7 games, but this will take its toll on whoever ends up winning here.

Detroit is quietly doing its championship thing as usual. They really are an amazing organization. For years I know I have thought they were too old, but somehow they keep on doing it. Hossa this year has been a huge add on and he continues to shine in the playoffs. The series with the Bluejackets will not last much longer, although I must give them a hand for making it into the playoffs this year. It is just unfortunate that they ran into Detroit. 

Signed 2007 Stanley Cup Winning Team Jersey posted by Lori

I have a Ducks jersey that is signed by the entire team during their winning season of 2007. They signed it in December 2007.  It is in MINT condition.  I got it from the Ducks and GoCountry105 radio station, during their Christmas toy drive in Anaheim.  If you are interested in buying it, please contact me at ramgirl2002@yahoo.com.  At your request, I will email 4-5 pictures of the jersey.

Kings Aim For The 500 Mark in '08 posted by Cori Vallembois

The Los Angeles Kings started 2008 off with a bang when they dominated Chicago by a score of 9-2 on New Year's Day in front of a home crowd at Staples Center.  Since then, the Kings have fallen to Columbus and Calgary in two close contests that could have ended in either team's favor.  Hopefully the Kings can capitalize tonight on a tired Nashville team who lost to the Anaheim Ducks just last night and pull out their second win of 2008.

Still lingering at the bottom of the league's standings, the Kings can't afford any more losses or injuries at this point in their year.  With Cammalleri still out due to a rib injury, the Kings hope Ladislav Nagy can continue his hot streak.  Nagy has racked up 10 points in his last 6 games (4-6) and had an especially impressive showing in the Kings' most recent victory versus Chicago when he recorded his third career hat trick along with two assists for his second career five-point game.

Welcome to a new era in Hockey blogging posted by Roland Lesterlin

 As with any new relationship, I understand your reticence.  Questions abound about my qualifications as a hockey guru.  My name is not synonymous with Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin or Jaromir Jagr.  You have not been a part of my phenomenal success in fantasy hockey; though admittedly I did not realized that San Jose's Jonathon Cheechoo would have only 4 goals in 28 games.  Luckily I traded him before he got injured for Maxim Afinogenov; another slumping forward who usually gets hot after the New Year.

Putting that aside, if you are interested in the finer points of waiver wire work or want advice on trades, I’m here for you.  If you want to discuss the fact that the New York Rangers have a league low 2.13 Goals per game average, I’m here for you.  The only thing you will never find here is praise for the New Jersey Devils.  Admittedly, I might discuss Brian Gionta’s rebound from his early season slump or how Martin Brodeur has regained his stellar form; but never will I say I even remotely enjoy Devils’ hockey (except when the Rangers hand them a 1-0 overtime loss).

Putting aside my petty prejudices, I will gladly add another distraction to your already procrastination-prone day.

Welcome to Roland’s Hockey blog.

Let’s get right into one of hockey’s biggest stories:  Scott Niedermayer, the great #27’s return!

The Anaheim Ducks must move at least $880,000 of salary to accommodate him.  For those of you with deep fantasy leagues, Todd Marchant has been a healthy scratch and might be finding his way to another team via re-entry waivers.  That would clear $1.2 million of cap space.  Is that enough to also accommodate another free agent, Teemu Selanne?  I would say no.  Selanne is retired, period.  He just had another kid and if any of you readers out there have children, you know that his mind is not on hockey right now.  He’s not coming back.  Sorry, Ducks Fans.

'Hawks sign F Hossa for 12 years, $62.8M (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Ducks captain Niedermayer signs 1-year deal

The Ducks are keeping captain Scott Niedermayer in Anaheim with a one-year deal.Already a foregone conclusion that the star defenseman would be back, the Ducks made it official Wednesday by signing him to a contract worth $6 million plus bonuses."Keeping Scott Niedermayer in an Anaheim Ducks jersey was paramount for our club," general manager Bob Murray said in a statement. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NHL

Ducks' Niedermayer gets 1-year, $6M deal (AP)

Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer is staying in Anaheim after signing a one-year deal Wednesday worth $6 million plus bonuses. Already a foregone conclusion that the star defenseman would be back, the Ducks made it official a few hours into the NHL free-agent shopping season. "Keeping Scott Niedermayer in an Anaheim Ducks jersey was paramount for our club," general manager Bob Murray said... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Selanne to return to Ducks next season (AP)

Ten-time All-Star Teemu Selanne has decided to play another season with the Anaheim Ducks. Selanne's decision, announced by the Ducks on Saturday, came a day after defenseman Scott Niedermayer, who turns 36 in August, told the team he's coming back. Selanne turns 39 next week. "Teemu is still playing at a high level, brings passion and energy to the locker room and is a loyal member of... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Selanne to stay another season with Ducks

Ten-time All-Star Teemu Selanne has decided to play another season with the Anaheim Ducks.The team says Selanne told Ducks general manager Bob Murray of his decision on Saturday."Teemu is still playing at a high level, brings passion and energy to the locker room and is a loyal member of this franchise," Murray said in the statement.The Finnish-born Selanne has played 10 of his 17 NHL seasons with Anaheim and was signed for the 2009-2010 season. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NHL