Article on Niederwhiners' Return

[CAredwingsfan91 28]

Niedermayer's return could spell trouble

If you are bored then take a peek at it I found it pretty interesting.

This part of the article made me want to keep reading it.

This year, it was Niedermayer who decided to skip a large part of the season. What happens next year if Alex Ovechkin decides that since the Washington Capitals aren't going to make the playoffs no matter what he does, he'll play only half the season? What happens if Sidney Crosby decides that the Pittsburgh Penguins would be better off if he were fresh for the playoffs so he won't get involved until January?

[Yzerfan1999 81]

I don't see this happening too much. Forsberg did it, now Niedermayer did it.

I think for them its more of the fact they were just losing interest in the game, wanted a break, or were 'injured'.

Guys like Ovechkin and Crosby love playing way too much to do something like that. I wouldn't be worried.

I do agree with the guy though. This playing a half-season bulls*** is...bulls***.

[redwinger4747 6]

I don't see this happening too much. Forsberg did it, now Niedermayer did it.

I think for them its more of the fact they were just losing interest in the game, wanted a break, or were 'injured'.

Guys like Ovechkin and Crosby love playing way too much to do something like that. I wouldn't be worried.

I do agree with the guy though. This playing a half-season bulls*** is...bulls***.

100% Agree, couldn't have said it better.

[Echolalia 2,961]

If something of a problem ends up coming from this, then the nhl would surely get involved. It would be catastrphic for the game if all the players that people go to see don't play for half the season

Besides, its really risky these days because all the teams are so close together. Alot of teams are going to miss the playoffs this year by one game, most likely one goal. You need your best players out there to get to the playoffs.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

w/e i think someone should step in and if he tries this thing next season tell him to f*** off if he wants to only play half a season

[SweWings 45]

I don't see this happening too much. Forsberg did it, now Niedermayer did it.

I think for them its more of the fact they were just losing interest in the game, wanted a break, or were 'injured'.

Guys like Ovechkin and Crosby love playing way too much to do something like that. I wouldn't be worried.

I do agree with the guy though. This playing a half-season bulls*** is...bulls***.

I don't want to bring too much crap on myself but here we go anyway: At least Forsberg had injury issues. Doesn't make it completely right I suppose but he does have a pretty real excuse.

[edicius 3,269]

I don't want to bring too much crap on myself but here we go anyway: At least Forsberg had injury issues. Doesn't make it completely right I suppose but he does have a pretty real excuse.

Agreed. I didn't like the fact that Forsberg sat out the entire season like that and was miraculously back in time for the postseason, but at least there was an injury behind it. Niedermayer is just a tool and that's all there is to it.

[lfd250 1]

You're forgetting if the Ducks had a team they could've told Nieder. that he was to be suspending for the whole year. He never retired and they never let him go. I have a feeling that if this continues teams will say you start the year, or won't be playing any place because we hold you're rights.

[Lollipop 8]

Agreed. I didn't like the fact that Forsberg sat out the entire season like that and was miraculously back in time for the postseason, but at least there was an injury behind it. Niedermayer is just a tool and that's all there is to it.

QFT, mostly because I adore your avatar.

[T.Low 1,011]

Like Crosby and Ovechkin are going to NOT want to amass any real numbers to earn their place in NHL history, so yeah they'll be ok playing 40 games a year. I don't think so.

An old guy who can't handle the grind any longer, playing half the year? No, not the way I'd do it either. Ya keep him theire all year long, give him nights off. That way the veteran guy can tutor the young guys and create that youthful skill/energy plus veteran savy combination that creates a winning chemistry. Neiderwheiners return is not going to do great things for the Ducks locker room. It will defintiely build an incredible defense, but I would think it may create a little animosity in the room.

[theman19 47]

see,..i'm sorry but i hate the way this went down. The ducks played tonite and with Neidawieiner in the lineup again, all the sudden they look like the team that won the cup last year. It makes me sick, where half way through the season, all the big stars are sore and nursing injuries etc. etc.

The Captain comes back, rested and at full tilt with a 40 less games on his body than everyone else in the league going into the playoffs. I'm thinking the league needs to address this issue, i.e. there should be a cutoff date that if you don't start playing and are under contract (and obviously not injured) you cannot return to your team that season.

[auxlepli 17]

I didn't like him before his "hold out" because he and the Ducks beat the Wings last year. This has made me lose respect for him.

Oh and he also received a star last night for his stellar play.

Niedermayer played 23:52 against the Sharks, took one shot and drew a penalty for holding.

http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/gamecenter/r...20071216_SJ@ANA

I know, I know game stars don't mean anything.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Like Crosby and Ovechkin are going to NOT want to amass any real numbers to earn their place in NHL history, so yeah they'll be ok playing 40 games a year. I don't think so.

An old guy who can't handle the grind any longer, playing half the year? No, not the way I'd do it either. Ya keep him theire all year long, give him nights off. That way the veteran guy can tutor the young guys and create that youthful skill/energy plus veteran savy combination that creates a winning chemistry. Neiderwheiners return is not going to do great things for the Ducks locker room. It will defintiely build an incredible defense, but I would think it may create a little animosity in the room.

Would your position change if this had anything to do with an injury? I'm just curious.

[toby91_ca 620]

An old guy who can't handle the grind any longer, playing half the year? No, not the way I'd do it either. Ya keep him theire all year long, give him nights off. That way the veteran guy can tutor the young guys and create that youthful skill/energy plus veteran savy combination that creates a winning chemistry. Neiderwheiners return is not going to do great things for the Ducks locker room. It will defintiely build an incredible defense, but I would think it may create a little animosity in the room.

For a guy that is young enough to be Chelios' son, I doubt he is too old to handle the grind of a full season. I think the Wings have 8 or 9 players on their roster older than Niedermayer.