OFFICIAL: Niedermayer returns to Ducks

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Its no coincidence that Scotty is likely coming back right after they get shut out by those offensively dominant Oilers.

[Duck Guy 86]

i say dump bert if he comes back you guys can have him back... oh and u can take Beauchemin also...

Edited December 5, 2007 by Duck Guy

[MacK_Attack 108]

Hey Mack, what ch will that be on?

I would say TSN will probably carry it right before the Pens/Oilers game.

[Rice 42]

i say dump bert if he comes back you guys can have him back... oh and u can take Beauchemin also...

Deal.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

i say dump bert if he comes back you guys can have him back... oh and u can take Beauchemin also...

Beauchemin for Quincey and a 2nd. Burke needs to trade a Dman asap according to various sites.

[Wings_Fan_In_Exile 3]

I hope he plays better than Shea Weber in my fantasy pool.

And I also think it's pretty lame of Scotty boy.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

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.

I guess I just don't understand why you would question Scott Niedermayer's character. What has he done prior to this that would lead you to believe he would do something like this intentionally?

As for him skating? I wasn't aware he was skating at all until about a month ago. Seems to me he would have to start skating as the first step, see where he was at and that might help him make his final decision to return. At least that would sound like a better plan than to up and announce a comeback and then start skating only to find out your back aches or your knees hurt and you can't do it anymore.

As for the Ducks moving on? I didn't know they weren't moving on. I wasn't aware they weren't looking at any and all options except Niedermayer. How do you know what the Ducks have been doing or planning for? And if they were planning this all along, then as a matter of fact they are moving on. Moving on with the knowledge that Scotty was coming back.

I don't think Niedermayer's indecision has hurt the Ducks. I think losing Niedermayer and Selanne and Penner and Schnieder/Bertuzzi to injury has played a bigger role in their demise. I don't think a single Ducks player would stand up and honestly say its becuase of Scott's indecision that we're in this situation right now.

Personally, I think you're reading way too much into this. And I don't think it matters that he's a captain. When you are trying to decide your future, that's a personal and family situation and being the Captain of a team has nothing to do with it. If he wants to retire he can. That doesn't make him a bad captain. If he was unsure about his future, couldn't decide if he wanted to keep playing or not, that too does not make him a bad Captain. You have an obligation to your team of course. But when you are at the stage of your life/career that he is, other things need to play a more important role in decision making for you than the fact you have a letter on your sweater.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

i say dump bert if he comes back you guys can have him back... oh and u can take Beauchemin also...

We can have both? Dealio.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I guess I just don't understand why you would question Scott Niedermayer's character. What has he done prior to this that would lead you to believe he would do something like this intentionally?

As for him skating? I wasn't aware he was skating at all until about a month ago. Seems to me he would have to start skating as the first step, see where he was at and that might help him make his final decision to return. At least that would sound like a better plan than to up and announce a comeback and then start skating only to find out your back aches or your knees hurt and you can't do it anymore.

As for the Ducks moving on? I didn't know they weren't moving on. I wasn't aware they weren't looking at any and all options except Niedermayer. How do you know what the Ducks have been doing or planning for? And if they were planning this all along, then as a matter of fact they are moving on. Moving on with the knowledge that Scotty was coming back.

I don't think Niedermayer's indecision has hurt the Ducks. I think losing Niedermayer and Selanne and Penner and Schnieder/Bertuzzi to injury has played a bigger role in their demise. I don't think a single Ducks player would stand up and honestly say its becuase of Scott's indecision that we're in this situation right now.

Personally, I think you're reading way too much into this. And I don't think it matters that he's a captain. When you are trying to decide your future, that's a personal and family situation and being the Captain of a team has nothing to do with it. If he wants to retire he can. That doesn't make him a bad captain. If he was unsure about his future, couldn't decide if he wanted to keep playing or not, that too does not make him a bad Captain. You have an obligation to your team of course. But when you are at the stage of your life/career that he is, other things need to play a more important role in decision making for you than the fact you have a letter on your sweater.

Niedermayer has never done anything close to this, that's why I'm surprised that he's behaving this way.

Like I said, even if it is all above board, even if he hasn't given advance word to Burke where they've planned on him coming back, then I'm still extremely disapointed in Niedermayer. Like I said, I really liked the guy. And of course it's a difficult decision, but by dragging it out this long, he has put his team in a tough position. You don't think this uncertainty has been a distraction and a handicap for the Ducks? For the management in planning for their future?

It's almost worse if Niedermayer really was this wishy washy and was keeping everyone waiting on his decision, his family, his team. It's why I could only guess he's already given word to all parties involved. That makes the situation easier on his family and team, but it's still a manipulation of the situation and dishonest to the NHL in my opinion.

And it also is worse to me because he is the captain of the team. His indecision has hurt this team. That's even worse when you're supposed to be the leader.

And honestly I'm fine with all of this really, except that I think the Ducks should have to pay his full salary for the year. He is under contract to the Ducks. He is medically cleared to play. He's not holding out for a new contract, he's not a player with some substance abuse problem. He's the former captain of the team who just doesn't feel like playing right now. Fine. But when he does come back, the Ducks should still have to pay that contract they signed with him. If he didn't feel like playing for half the year, that's their problem with Scotty, not the league's.

we'll have to agree to disagree I guess. But I think it's incredibly naive to think he didn't give Burke a heads up on this one. Or that this whole situation hasn't been a distraction for the team, at the very least. Plus the financial ramifications of whether or not they bring Scotty back. Honestly I'm beginning to feel like I'm discussing this with a Ducks homer.

[Aeothe Kaear 0]

So can anyone who knows the CBA better confirm that Selanne would have needed a contract by December 1st to play this season, or is that misinformation?

[Rice 42]

So can anyone who knows the CBA better confirm that Selanne would have needed a contract by December 1st to play this season, or is that misinformation?

I'm pretty sure that rule only applies for multi-year deals.

[Duck Guy 86]

So can anyone who knows the CBA better confirm that Selanne would have needed a contract by December 1st to play this season, or is that misinformation?

i am sure he can still come back. I have not heard anything at all that suggests otherwise. As for him coming back I saw looking through various reports about nieds returning that temmu said that if Nieds comes back he will be leaning more towards coming back (back when he announced he might retire). I also read that he told a finnish newspaper that his desicion will be some time in January. But anything can happen. And if he does come back he will prolly be signed for the min, amount that is allowed (dont ask me how much that is).

Edited December 6, 2007 by Duck Guy

[BlueMonk 102]

I don't believe, and never have, that there was ever a serious chance Niedermayer would retire. I would have bet anyone (and did) that he'll be back this year. If I'm wrong, okay, but that's how it felt to me.

And whatever the reason, I don't particularly like it. If it was pre-arranged, it makes the NHL and its CBA look silly. If it wasn't, then it's a stretch for me to believe it was ever really about anything but resting his body.

I could be dead wrong and Niedermayer really could have been struggling with this decision. In that scenario, I guess I don't really have any objections. But I just don't believe that was ever what this was about.

[FunkedUp 29]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AjBz...p&type=lgns

What do you guys think about this? i personally think that its a crock of s***. I mean, what better way to return then to come back almost halfway through the season while your team is in a slump. That doesn't seem very leader-like to me. To sit around and jack-off for a few months pondering retirement is absurd. A real captain would be with their team from the beginning to the end or he wouldn't be with them at all. And Niedermayer seems to be caught in the middle, and come back when he feels like it. It will be a confidence boost for the Ducks, but in the same way all the players must be thinking "Why so long? Why couldn't you lead us from the start?"

Oh well, at least that dirtbag Pronger will no longer be wearing that "C"

[Duck Guy 86]

umm there is already a topic on the return of scott..

Edited December 6, 2007 by Duck Guy

[chrisdetroit 189]

A band aid on a bullet wound. Way to go out. Win a Cup then return to a sinking ship.

The funny part is that it won't matter. The Ducks are 12-12-4. And why are they a .500 team? Because they can't score. They are #29 out of 30 in the league in GFA at a measly 2.2. And why the scoring slump? Because they lost their 2 top scorers from last year - Selane and Penner. And neither of them are coming back.

Just like Tampa and Carolina - one year wonders.

I'm smiling as I type this.

[Duck Guy 86]

The funny part is that it won't matter. The Ducks are 12-12-4. And why are they a .500 team? Because they can't score. They are #29 out of 30 in the league in GFA at a measly 2.2. And why the scoring slump? Because they lost their 2 top scorers from last year - Selane and Penner. And neither of them are coming back.

Just like Tampa and Carolina - one year wonders.

I'm smiling as I type this.

its not like he is going to contribute to their offense or anything...

Edited December 6, 2007 by Duck Guy

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Gee, no one saw this coming.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I don't believe, and never have, that there was ever a serious chance Niedermayer would retire. I would have bet anyone (and did) that he'll be back this year. If I'm wrong, okay, but that's how it felt to me.

And whatever the reason, I don't particularly like it. If it was pre-arranged, it makes the NHL and its CBA look silly. If it wasn't, then it's a stretch for me to believe it was ever really about anything but resting his body.

I could be dead wrong and Niedermayer really could have been struggling with this decision. In that scenario, I guess I don't really have any objections. But I just don't believe that was ever what this was about.

Exactly.

Everyone saw this coming. People were even guessing it would be around December 1st.

Scott wanted a long vacation, and Burke and the Ducks saved themselves some cash.

Edited December 6, 2007 by haroldsnepsts

[YoungGuns1340 1]

The funny part is that it won't matter. The Ducks are 12-12-4. And why are they a .500 team? Because they can't score. They are #29 out of 30 in the league in GFA at a measly 2.2. And why the scoring slump? Because they lost their 2 top scorers from last year - Selane and Penner. And neither of them are coming back.

Just like Tampa and Carolina - one year wonders.

I'm smiling as I type this.

Having Scott back on the blueline is going to help. He makes a great first pass and is known for being a 4th forward. Not to mention hes dominant on the PP. Still, if Selanne doesn't re-sign and they have to sell off one of O'Donnell, Beauchemin, or Scheneider, they'll remain weaker than last year. Even with Niedermayer back, this isn't the same team that the Wings nearly took down despite being without their #2 and #3 Dman, and with Lebda playing on a bum ankle.

[MacK_Attack 108]

So can anyone who knows the CBA better confirm that Selanne would have needed a contract by December 1st to play this season, or is that misinformation?

That applies only to Group II RFA's. Group III UFA's who have not signed to play in Europe can sign anytime before the trade deadline.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I saw this coming, but now that it happened, I'm pissed. f*** Niederamyer and their whole Mickey Mouse organization (pun intended). I hope that s***bag gets injured in his first game of the season. Yeah, I know they're going to be over the cap for next year, but I don't care about that, I only think in the present. That's a cheap ass way to beat the salary cap, and I know they had it planned that way from the very beginning.

[BringHomeTheCup! 0]

Now the Ducks have to move someone who is under contract not only this season, but next as well. This could spell the end of Matty's days as a Duck.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Niedermayer used to be one of my players, but I dont think of him the same now.

But, this is great for the Ducks. Pronger, Schnieder, Niedermayer, Beachemin is a great defence. I doubt they keep them all. And Joe Dipenta or Kent Huskins get picked up on waivers for sure.

[Duck Guy 86]

I saw this coming, but now that it happened, I'm pissed. f*** Niederamyer and their whole Mickey Mouse organization (pun intended). I hope that s***bag gets injured in his first game of the season. Yeah, I know they're going to be over the cap for next year, but I don't care about that, I only think in the present. That's a cheap ass way to beat the salary cap, and I know they had it planned that way from the very beginning.

o... so whats your job with the Duck's Organization to know that kind of info for sure. Alot of people including ducks fans (and me) have lost some respect for him. But wishing a injury on someone is just not right. Maybe it was to take off cap pressure ... probably not if you were going to make a descion that would effect your life and your family's life i would hope that you would take awhile to decided.

Life and Family does sometimes come before hockey you know.. so there is no way ANYONE can be sure of the reason for the length of time taken to make this desicion unless he says so..

Edited December 6, 2007 by Duck Guy