OFFICIAL: Niedermayer returns to Ducks

[RusDRW 155]

it doesn't really matter whether Niedermayer returns or not Ducks will be hard to beat in the play-offs. To me one of the main reasons Ducks won last year is in the effect they have on officiating. In every play-off game Ducks set the tone on officiating early with a lot of hooking and slashing. It affected the referees who usually stopped calling after two or three consecutive calls on the Ducks. Indeed, from their point of view, it would look unfair if one team spends half of the game in the penalty box. Recently it was summarized by Canucks coach

Canucks coach Alain Vigneault had something to say about the Ducks that a lot of coaches and players believe, but have not expressed: Anaheim is a dirty team.

"In my mind they could have got a penalty on every shift," Vigneault said after a 4-0 win over the Ducks last week. "It's amazing the stickwork and the cross-checking that they get away with -- and their good players get away with.

here

I'm not complaining about this tactics. I would be happy if my Red Wings play like that.

[Opie 308]

If Teemu does come back that would be why Ilya was waived, Neids is already under contract and his contract doesn't put them over the cap. Especially considering that it will be less than a full years salary.

The key to this team as I have said all along is Teemu, if he comes back he frees up space on the ice for Macdonald, Getzlaf, Perry, etc, etc. Teemu changes this team in many many ways, that is unless he is not in game shape.

Which if he does come back, I pray he is not!!

[Guest DetroitIan]

Well, we have the best record in the entire league. And the Ducks are right at .500. I'll take the way my Red Wings play any day.

[edicius 3,269]

The hilarious thing is that if Niedermayer DOES come back, they'll effectively be over the cap for NEXT season (for which Niedermayer said he almost certainly won't be playing), which means they'll have to trade off Schneider, MacDonald or Beauchemin.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

The question is, how long is soon? A week, a few weeks, a month? I wish they were more sure on exactly when he's planning on returning. That way I can try to pick him up in fantasy hockey. lol

I've been holding him all season. When he does return, it should be a solid boost.

Sidenote: He's still a tool for doing this.

[toby91_ca 620]

He is under contract, but suspended so he doesn't get paid or count against the cap.

Personally I think this is all Burke's doing; It's completely out of character for Niedermayer to be doing something like this, while Burke has a history of gamesmanship.

Oh, I think it is absolutely Burke's doing. I don't think for a second that the organization is sitting around waiting for Neidermayer to make a decision, I think it was a well thought out plan.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Oh, I think it is absolutely Burke's doing. I don't think for a second that the organization is sitting around waiting for Neidermayer to make a decision, I think it was a well thought out plan.

Thirded

[VM1138 1,921]

I can't believe some people want the Wings to play like that. It's disgusting that a person could root for a player who takes cheap shots and dirty hits. There's nothing honorable about that. And from a team with the legacy of Steve Yzerman and now Nick Lidstrom, it would be a horrible turn of events to turn into a goon squad.

Being physical and playing dirty are two different things. I much rather see the way the Wings play as superior. They can lay the hits when they need to, but when they don't, it's absolutely amazing to see the way they skate and score.

[Zetterberg5150 0]

with scott back ducks could make playoffs. To repeat they need temmu (or another goal scorer) and giggy to be good in playoffs like usual. If they dont get those two things they maybe make to 2nd round 3rd if their lucky. Giggy seems to play good for about 2 games or so then lets in soft goal after soft goal. Nieds will definitely help him out.

There are alot of factors here with the Ducks two starts from last year. First is that both are one year older and haven't played the beggining of the season. Second is that the Ducks are on the playoff bubble and production will be expected from both immedietely. Both guys are fantastic players though. I will never forget Teemu's rookie season when he came out of nowhere to score 78. Nieds is an all time defenseman but not all players are like Chris Chelios and can just continue to come back year after year with the same fitness level. I don't think we should worry about this at all......in fact I can't find a team in the Western Conference that really worries me right now. Right now I think the Canucks are the most dangerous as they have that great 1st line and the best shut down goalie in the WC.

[IceMunkee 15]

I don't think the Ducks are anything like they were last year. I don't think that neids alone is going to make a huge differance. It is very possible his returning could be a cancer for the team and they become worse.

As far as the Plucks playoff champs. I think it is safe to say the the Central division is going to run s*** this year. Goodluck to all the West Coast teams....Your going to need it.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I honestly am bothered by this. He should not be allowed to do this. You should have to know from the season begins or wait. This bothers me as much as people retiring in the middle of the season. He is to young and able anyhow.

He is already spoken for in our league. I lost becuase of waiver priorty! LOL.

Would you feel the same way if it were a few years ago and Stevie wanted to come out of retirement mid-season?

What if a player were in a serious accident and had to announce his retirement, but through some miracle and physical therapy came back, would you begrudge him the opportunity of employment?

I have no problem with this. This has nothing to do with league rules, salary structures or fair play. The only thing people have a problem with here is that its the Ducks and Niedermayer and not the Wings. We don't like the Ducks. We don't like Niedermayer. They are the defending champs. They are one of our Western rivals. Any complaining about the Ducks doing this is so much sour grapes. We wouldn't care if Niedermayer wanted to join our team and all we had to do was cough up Lilja and Samuellson for cap space next season.

If Niedermayer puts the Ducks over the top and we can't beat them, then we can't beat them. They aren't breaking any rules. Currently, I don't believe anybody, a fan or the league has the right to deny a player the chance to earn a living if he decides to unretire.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Gee, what a surprise. I never in a million years could've seen this coming.

Niedermayer has now surpassed Iginla as a player I used to like that I've now lost a lot of respect for.

What a joke.

Whether it's Burke's idea or not, he should be embarrassed for himself.

Why Harold?

Is it so unheard of for a player to announce his retirement and then come back? Why does this bother us so much? Me thinks its mostly to do with the competition getting better and us not.

Gordie Howe came out of retirement

Michael Jordan came out of retirement

Mario Lemieux came out of retirement

Let's be honest, if it wasn't the Ducks, our rival and it wasn't Scott Niedermayer we wouldn't care. Would you care if Wes Walz announced he was coming back tomorrow? Would you care if Datsyuk retired after this season and then decided to come back mid way through next year?

We only care because Niedermayer makes the Ducks better and means we have to be better in order to beat them. I for one am not scared at all. The Ducks and any other team we face is going to be tough as hell to beat in the playoffs regardless. If the Ducks want to put Niedermayer out there then we either beat them or we don't. And i'm not going to cry about it if we lose and whine about unfair play.

Nobody has done anything illegal. I hate the RFA offer sheet but some people are just fine with it. GM's using the rules to make their clubs better. Why is this any different? If it was a plot all along, the essence of it is a GM trying to make his team better. What's the difference?

I guarantee if Datsyuk retired after this year and we traded for or signed Vinny Lecavalier and then next year Dats up and returns midway through the season, nobody on this forum would feel bad about it in the slightest.

[wingslogo19 281]

Scott is a complete TOOL for waiting this long

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Why Harold?

Is it so unheard of for a player to announce his retirement and then come back? Why does this bother us so much? Me thinks its mostly to do with the competition getting better and us not.

Gordie Howe came out of retirement

Michael Jordan came out of retirement

Mario Lemieux came out of retirement

Let's be honest, if it wasn't the Ducks, our rival and it wasn't Scott Niedermayer we wouldn't care. Would you care if Wes Walz announced he was coming back tomorrow? Would you care if Datsyuk retired after this season and then decided to come back mid way through next year?

We only care because Niedermayer makes the Ducks better and means we have to be better in order to beat them. I for one am not scared at all. The Ducks and any other team we face is going to be tough as hell to beat in the playoffs regardless. If the Ducks want to put Niedermayer out there then we either beat them or we don't. And i'm not going to cry about it if we lose and whine about unfair play.

Nobody has done anything illegal. I hate the RFA offer sheet but some people are just fine with it. GM's using the rules to make their clubs better. Why is this any different? If it was a plot all along, the essence of it is a GM trying to make his team better. What's the difference?

I guarantee if Datsyuk retired after this year and we traded for or signed Vinny Lecavalier and then next year Dats up and returns midway through the season, nobody on this forum would feel bad about it in the slightest.

This is hardly the same thing. We've had this discussion before, and if memory serves you seemed to lump me in with the folks who just hate the Ducks and everything they do.

I don't.

Niedermayer likely never intended to retire. I think he originally considered it, but then he just needed a break. we all knew he was coming back. All those other cases the players retired, they really thought they were done. And all or most of them didn't come back mid-season.

I'm fine with him "changing his mind." My problem is that the Ducks should be on the hook for his whole years contract. His being suspended is a joke. Burke found a loophole in the CBA and is using it to his advantage.

Niedermayer is under contract, if he plays this season, they should have to pay his whole salary and have it count against the cap.

[Matt 1,049]

Good news for my fantasy team.

Same. At least I'm now justified in keeping him tucked away in my IR spot (thank you, Sportsline!) for the first couple months of the season.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I completely agree with Harold on this.

But in the end I really don't care. With or without Scott, I don't see the Ducks going anywhere this year.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

This is hardly the same thing. We've had this discussion before, and if memory serves you seemed to lump me in with the folks who just hate the Ducks and everything they do.

I don't.

Niedermayer likely never intended to retire. I think he originally considered it, but then he just needed a break. we all knew he was coming back. All those other cases the players retired, they really thought they were done. And all or most of them didn't come back mid-season.

I'm fine with him "changing his mind." My problem is that the Ducks should be on the hook for his whole years contract. His being suspended is a joke. Burke found a loophole in the CBA and is using it to his advantage.

Niedermayer is under contract, if he plays this season, they should have to pay his whole salary and have it count against the cap.

They didn't get to use his services so why should they have to pay him? You seem to forget that the downside of having Niedermayer be suspended is they didn't get to use his services and they are a .500 hockey club.

Do you truly think they would not have preferred to be leading their division, have a strong record and not be fighting for points already in December? I think if they could have had Scott from day one they'd have preferred that scenario. I don't know Burke personally but I find it hard to believe he is happy with his team's current record.

They didn't have Niedermayer and they've suffered for it. Why should they have to pay for his services to boot?

I stand by my statement that if this were Datsyuk or if it was us picking up Niedermayer, there would only be posts here about how ******* awesome we are, how smart and savvy kenny is and how we are going to win the cup no doubt.

I know you know your s*** harold, I respect you big time so I don't say this lightly. But I think all this complaining (from everybody) is pure sour grapes.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

They didn't get to use his services so why should they have to pay him? You seem to forget that the downside of having Niedermayer be suspended is they didn't get to use his services and they are a .500 hockey club.

Do you truly think they would not have preferred to be leading their division, have a strong record and not be fighting for points already in December? I think if they could have had Scott from day one they'd have preferred that scenario. I don't know Burke personally but I find it hard to believe he is happy with his team's current record.

They didn't have Niedermayer and they've suffered for it. Why should they have to pay for his services to boot?

I stand by my statement that if this were Datsyuk or if it was us picking up Niedermayer, there would only be posts here about how ******* awesome we are, how smart and savvy kenny is and how we are going to win the cup no doubt.

I know you know your s*** harold, I respect you big time so I don't say this lightly. But I think all this complaining (from everybody) is pure sour grapes.

They knew they had a good hockey club. They replaced Niedermayer adequately enough and Selanne as well in the off season to the point where a couple months of both back will elevate Anaheim probably to around a 4-6 seed. Basically, no harm done as their seed ranking wont be an accurate reading of what the team actually is after Niedermayer returns (a top 3 seed, likely). Burke gets to have his cake and eat it too.

On the upside for us, Anaheim might be trading off Beauchemin, which means theyll have the injury-prone Schneider staying in their top 3, instead of the better shutdown guy in Beauchemin.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

They didn't get to use his services so why should they have to pay him? You seem to forget that the downside of having Niedermayer be suspended is they didn't get to use his services and they are a .500 hockey club.

Do you truly think they would not have preferred to be leading their division, have a strong record and not be fighting for points already in December? I think if they could have had Scott from day one they'd have preferred that scenario. I don't know Burke personally but I find it hard to believe he is happy with his team's current record.

They didn't have Niedermayer and they've suffered for it. Why should they have to pay for his services to boot?

I stand by my statement that if this were Datsyuk or if it was us picking up Niedermayer, there would only be posts here about how ******* awesome we are, how smart and savvy kenny is and how we are going to win the cup no doubt.

I know you know your s*** harold, I respect you big time so I don't say this lightly. But I think all this complaining (from everybody) is pure sour grapes.

Of course they would've liked to have Niedermayer's services. But Burke didn't know that his team would be hovering around .500. Plus he picked up Scheider to fill Scott's role. Before the season started, it seemed pretty reasonable they could get along without him for half the season. I'm guessing when he was thinking of retiring, Burke figured out how he could make this work for both of them, in spite of Scott being under contract.

I don't know how I'd feel if a Wings player did this. I can't see Yzerman or Lidstrom doing something like this.

Ultimately I just think it's Scott and Burke having an arrangement, which is not in good faith with the CBA.

And no matter how this plays out or what did or did not happen, I think all of this is very much beneath Niedermayer, especially as captain. I really did like the guy. Great player. A clear champion. Seemed like a standup guy.

But whatever the circumstances, this is a joke. Scotty was under contract. He should've either retired, or played the whole season. You don't abandon your team like that so you can get a break. I'm sure Yzerman would've loved to take some time off each year towards the end of his career.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Of course they would've liked to have Niedermayer's services. But Burke didn't know that his team would be hovering around .500. Plus he picked up Scheider to fill Scott's role. Before the season started, it seemed pretty reasonable they could get along without him for half the season. I'm guessing when he was thinking of retiring, Burke figured out how he could make this work for both of them, in spite of Scott being under contract.

I don't know how I'd feel if a Wings player did this. I can't see Yzerman or Lidstrom doing something like this.

Ultimately I just think it's Scott and Burke having an arrangement, which is not in good faith with the CBA.

And no matter how this plays out or what did or did not happen, I think all of this is very much beneath Niedermayer, especially as captain. I really did like the guy. Great player. A clear champion. Seemed like a standup guy.

But whatever the circumstances, this is a joke. Scotty was under contract. He should've either retired, or played the whole season. You don't abandon your team like that so you can get a break. I'm sure Yzerman would've loved to take some time off each year towards the end of his career.

How would you feel if it could be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there was nothing below board going on?

I don't find it very hard to believe that a player like Niedermayer would have difficulty deciding his future. He has a family, he's done everything you could want to do as a player. He was going out on top. It happens alot. Players can't make up their mind about their future so they retire. Then, after awhile they see the games being played and they miss it and want to come back. I don't find any of that to be a particularly heinous indictment of one's character. I think that's human nature, especially for athletes.

It all boils down to whether you believe the Ducks and Niedermayer did this intentionally to circumvent the system. Considering Scott's character, I am not ready to accuse him or the Ducks of anything.

If the league wants to change the rules and say once the season has started or "x" number of games have been played you can't unretire or comeback, then that's fine. Although I think the NHLPA would never agree with that.

In the end you either think Burke and Niedermayer are bad, unethical people or you don't. Since there is zero evidence to prove they did anything in bad faith, I can't bring myself to point my finger at them. And yes, there's nothing to prove they didn't act unethically. But the burden of proof is on those that would accuse them of wrongdoing not the other way around.

Besides, I don't see anywhere that its written that this activity isn't above board or in good faith or contrary to the "ideals" of the CBA.

As I said, if Datsyuk didn't make up his mind, Kenny would suspend him to protect the team and their investment. If Dats decided to come back i'm sure we'd find a way to make room for him.

The fact that you don't know or hesitate to be as up in arms about it if it involved the Wings only makes me feel even moreso that this is a bias thing and sour grapes more than any higher calling such as protecting the integrity of the CBA or the game itself. There should be no hesitation. The ideals or rules or ethics would apply to everyone, including Dats and the Wings.

Edited December 5, 2007 by GordieSid&Ted

[interminded 1]

I lost a lot of Niedermayer the last 6 months.

Not as a player, but as a (supposed) teammate.

It took him all these months to decide if he wants to plat again ?

A really great player wouldn't do such a thing to an organization.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

How would you feel if it could be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there was nothing below board going on?

I don't find it very hard to believe that a player like Niedermayer would have difficulty deciding his future. He has a family, he's done everything you could want to do as a player. He was going out on top. It happens alot. Players can't make up their mind about their future so they retire. Then, after awhile they see the games being played and they miss it and want to come back. I don't find any of that to be a particularly heinous indictment of one's character. I think that's human nature, especially for athletes.

It all boils down to whether you believe the Ducks and Niedermayer did this intentionally to circumvent the system. Considering Scott's character, I am not ready to accuse him or the Ducks of anything.

If the league wants to change the rules and say once the season has started or "x" number of games have been played you can't unretire or comeback, then that's fine. Although I think the NHLPA would never agree with that.

In the end you either think Burke and Niedermayer are bad, unethical people or you don't. Since there is zero evidence to prove they did anything in bad faith, I can't bring myself to point my finger at them. And yes, there's nothing to prove they didn't act unethically. But the burden of proof is on those that would accuse them of wrongdoing not the other way around.

Besides, I don't see anywhere that its written that this activity isn't above board or in good faith or contrary to the "ideals" of the CBA.

As I said, if Datsyuk didn't make up his mind, Kenny would suspend him to protect the team and their investment. If Dats decided to come back i'm sure we'd find a way to make room for him.

The fact that you don't know or hesitate to be as up in arms about it if it involved the Wings only makes me feel even moreso that this is a bias thing and sour grapes more than any higher calling such as protecting the integrity of the CBA or the game itself. There should be no hesitation. The ideals or rules or ethics would apply to everyone, including Dats and the Wings.

If Datsyuk did this, I would be extremely disappointed in him, and surprised that Holland would put up with that kind of b.s. and pull such a stunt.

How's that?

Where it is not in good faith is in his "suspension." We're not talking about a rogue player who refuses to show up for camp. This is the captain of the team who can't seem to make up his mind. Though if he really hadn't made up his mind, then why has he been skating?

It's almost as if he decided a while ago, but is keeping himself in game shape until his actual return date. Almost as if it were planned. Hmmm....

It's not the situation a suspension was really meant for.

And even if nothing below board is going on here (which I highly doubt and think is incredibly naive) then I still am disappointed in Niedermayer, especially as captain. He's let down his team by either not being there with them the first half of the season, or not making a final decision so they could move on.

I don't know how many different ways I can say it Gordie. This is not sour grapes because I don't like the Ducks. But believe what you want to believe.

Edited December 5, 2007 by haroldsnepsts

[MacK_Attack 108]

Brian Burke has called a press conference for 9:30pm EST tonight regarding the playing status of Scott Niedermayer.

[Duck Guy 86]

Brian Burke has called a press conference for 9:30pm EST tonight regarding the playing status of Scott Niedermayer.

ohhh dang cant wait to see what goes down

[wingslogo19 281]

Brian Burke has called a press conference for 9:30pm EST tonight regarding the playing status of Scott Niedermayer.

Hey Mack, what ch will that be on?