Scott Niedermayer has begun skating

[swiss_redwingfan 5]

Looks like he is on his way back to the rink...and i thought he's done...he could be a big factor for the ducks!

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=222422&hubname=nhl

Edited November 8, 2007 by swiss_redwingfan

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Typical........

[up2here 41]

Looks like he is on his way back to the rink...and i thought he's done...he could be a big factor for the ducks!

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=222422&hubname=nhl

So he just wanted to avoid training camp and the first half of the season?

[DEVILSWATERBOY 10]

So when is Salami getting back on the ice, can they afford him with the cap

[WhiteLightning91 105]

I still feel Burke should be on the hook for his entire salary...this is complete bulls***...Kudos to Burke for recognizing this loophole, but it there should be some sort of amendment to prevent something like this happening again.

[union drone 0]

In related news, the Ducks have refused Niedermayer's request that his name now be spelled "Need-a-mayer" on the back of his jersey. It is unclear whether this announcement will affect his choice to return from retirement.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I still feel Burke should be on the hook for his entire salary...this is complete bulls***...Kudos to Burke for recognizing this loophole, but it there should be some sort of amendment to prevent something like this happening again.

Agreed.

I can't believe anyone is surprised he's coming back. Once they started the season and he was "suspended" it was pretty clear he was just taking a long rest and he and Burke had it all worked out.

I think several people here predicted a December return.

What a joke.

[zata40 3]

don’t be surprised if he's way our of shape for the first few games he plays.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

don’t be surprised if he's way our of shape for the first few games he plays.

No offense meant at all, but BFD. He'll be well up to speed when the playoffs roll around.

Kudos to Burke for finding a loophole, but it doesn't mean it isn't BS.

[Opie 308]

Big deal, their defense is not their biggest problem right now.

Yeah he makes their D better, BFD, they need scoring.

They have managed >3 goals in 5 times and 2 of them are against the yotes and 2 times (once against the yotes) it was in a loss.

If they got Selanne back then I would be more worried, but with Neidermayer back maybe they only give up 4 to the Yotes, I guess that would give them one more W.

[CAredwingsfan91 28]

***...can't get the job done without em so now they are obviously on their knees sucking him off and crying to him to come back. i hope they take the C from Mr. Gap and give it to Scott so Mr. Gaps wife will want to be traded again.

[wingsfan75 2]

Hear ye, hear ye! The Ducks savior is returning.... *yawn*. How long 'til his sidekick Teemu returneth. Who knows???

Boy we sure didn't see this coming. (completely sarcastic) I agree that Burke should be liable for the entire salary. It's definitely a bunch of BS.

[handyandy_101 0]

Big deal, their defense is not their biggest problem right now.

Yeah he makes their D better, BFD, they need scoring.

They have managed >3 goals in 5 times and 2 of them are against the yotes and 2 times (once against the yotes) it was in a loss.

If they got Selanne back then I would be more worried, but with Neidermayer back maybe they only give up 4 to the Yotes, I guess that would give them one more W.

Agreed.

But you're kidding yourself if you don't think that his presence has a big impact on their offense as well. I consider him to be a lot like Lids in that respect. I truly believe that without Lids in the lineup, without that impecable puck moving D-Man starting the plays, we'd start to struggle putting points up on the board as well.

I don't know about you guys, but Nieds' defensive prowess has never been the thing that has concerned me when playing against him. He's far mopre dangerous when gliding seemlessly down the ice and moving the puck. Clearly -- based on their early season struggles -- he is the driving force behind the Ducks, and his comeback will make them MUCH better.

With all that said, I've lost a lot of respect for this guy through the early part of this season. This stupid secrecy "I might return, I might not, its just such a hard decision" s*** is for the birds. As far as I'm concerned he should have grabbed a pair and made up his mind in September like every player who has ever played in the NHL.

Of course, I blame Brian Burke for inducing this significant lack of testicular fortitude in a bona fide hockey legend. I have a theory that he makes you hand over your balls to him when he signs you to a contract. It has yet to be unproven.

[Spongewingredpants 75]

personally i think there should be a laugue rule that says if the player doesnt report to camp or doesnt play for such reasons as "i might retire". he shouldnt be able to play the entire season

nice way to cheat on the cap, on a sidenote

[hockey&beer 16]

So should this topic be merged "Trading Salaries", doesn't it seem kind of odd that Burke makes this comment then it comes out that Nieds is skating? Who does Burke want to unload so that he can make room for Selanne to come back too?

[edicius 3,269]

Scott Niedermayer is a piece of garbage. I used to have respect for him. But not anymore.

It's funny how Burke complains about Lowe taking advantage of the CBA, when what he's doing is a hell of a lot more shady than what Lowe did in getting Penner. I'd love to see the league nail Burke for the whole amount of that bastard's contract, but it'll never happen.

[Dabura 12,232]

f*** Scott Niedermayer. f*** Brian Burke. f*** the Ducks.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Big deal, their defense is not their biggest problem right now.

Yeah he makes their D better, BFD, they need scoring.

They have managed >3 goals in 5 times and 2 of them are against the yotes and 2 times (once against the yotes) it was in a loss.

If they got Selanne back then I would be more worried, but with Neidermayer back maybe they only give up 4 to the Yotes, I guess that would give them one more W.

Opie, Niedermayer isn't a stay at home Dman as you know. Along with Lidstrom, he's probably the best dman in the league as far as generating offense. Not to mention he's by far the best Dman in the league when it comes to rushing the puck and joining the offensive play. Personally, i'd rather they have Selanne back than Niedermayer. Selanne can hurt you offensively but Niedermayer can hurt you on offense and defense.

[DraperFan MN 0]

So much crap, the league has to do something about this and put Burke in his place....let's just sign a bunch of free agents, go way over the cap, and have a bunch of our stars "retire" and come back for the playoffs. We could have a dynasty!!!

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

So much crap, the league has to do something about this and put Burke in his place....let's just sign a bunch of free agents, go way over the cap, and have a bunch of our stars "retire" and come back for the playoffs. We could have a dynasty!!!

Why is everybody so sour grapes about this? Its been well known Niedermayer has been contemplating retirement since they hoisted the Cup. They didn't bring Schneider on board just to force Niedermayer to sit out awhile. Seriously, who would you rather have, Matty or Niedermayer? No contest.

As Wings fans we'd have no problem with this if Lidstrom wanted to retire and then changed his mind.

I for one don't care. If we are the best team we'll beat them with or without Niedermayer.

I don't know why people automatically assume something below board was hatched between Burke and Scott months ago. The guy seemed sincere that he may want to retire. The Ducks did what any team would do to avoid the cap hit. If he chooses to not retire, he's still property of the Ducks so I don't see where anybody has any room to *****. We'd do the same thing.

[Turkey 0]

Yeah...this shouldn't be allowed. If a player can't produce a valid reason for not playing (such as an injury) they shouldn't be able to just decide to show up several months into the season. That's just weasel city.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

personally i think there should be a laugue rule that says if the player doesnt report to camp or doesnt play for such reasons as "i might retire". he shouldnt be able to play the entire season

nice way to cheat on the cap, on a sidenote

So you'd punish the team for a player's indecision by not letting them have said player.

Or you'd punish the player for not being able to make up his mind by not allowing him to play, in essence forcing him to retire.

Not a big fan of giving people the freedom to choose their own lives are you?

[rick zombo 3,739]

They're not winning the cup.

And I hate Burke.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Yeah...this shouldn't be allowed. If a player can't produce a valid reason for not playing (such as an injury) they shouldn't be able to just decide to show up several months into the season. That's just weasel city.

This is getting absurd now. What's a "valid" reason? Who decides what a valid reason is. You haven't even begun to think about the possible ramifications of what you're suggesting.

[Learn2LuvIt 252]

Do you think if Niedermayer and Salami both return, the Ducks will be as good at playoff time as they were last year, better, or worse?

I've thought about it for a while now...and still can't predict. Yes, they added Snieds and Bert...but I still undecided if this will make them a better team than last year. After all, they have changed a lot of chemistry within there team. At any rate, we were one bounce away from winning that series and I don't think this will intimidate the Wings if we meet up in the playoffs.

Edited November 8, 2007 by Learn2LuvIt