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Niedermayer given more time

June 19th, 2008, 9:53 am · 1 Comment · posted by Dan Wood, Staff writer

With Scott Niedermayer’s wife, Lisa, expected to deliver the couple’s fourth child any day, the Ducks have given the star defenseman more time to decide on his playing future, General Manager Brian Burke said Thursday.

The Ducks had originally targeted Friday, when the NHL entry draft begins in Ottawa, as a deadline for answers from Niedermayer and right wing Teemu Selanne on whether they intend to play next season.

Now, however, Burke has told Niedermayer that the team will wait until at least Monday, with an “operative date” of July 1 – the first day of free agency.

Unlike Niedermayer, who is signed through next season, Selanne stands to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, so is under no obligation to the Ducks.

“I’m not in a position to give Teemu a deadline,” Burke said.

Still, Burke has told Selanne’s agent, Don Baizley, that without assurance that Selanne will play next season, the team might go forward in such a fashion that would leave no room for Selanne in the payroll structure.

The absence of commitments from Niedermayer and Selanne can’t help the Ducks this weekend, given that a significant portion of off-season trade activity often comes in conjunction with the draft.

The Ducks are in need of at least one top-six forward, two if Selanne retires, and would obviously have to address a huge void on the blue line if Niedermayer does not return.

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Posted in: 2008 offseason • Ducks Personnel • • • |

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One Response to “Niedermayer given more time”

  1. Victor Says:
    June 23rd, 2008 at 12:06 pm

    I still can’t believe after the Ducks embarrassing finish last season, these two arrogant primadonnas are making the team wait AGAIN this year for their decision! Hey Selanne and Neidermayer, why don’t you think of the team FOR ONCE and call it quits. Neither of you is getting any younger, and your returns last season weren’t enough to make the Ducks competitive. I, like a lot of fans, used to have the utmost respect for you, but your selfishness this year and last have more than washed that away. Between these two and team owner Henry Sumeuli’s criminal behavior, I am dropping my season tickets. What a let down the Anaheim Ducks have been since winning the Cup! SHAME ON THE ANAHEIM DUCKS!!
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