Scott Niedermayer has made his official decision. The veteran defenseman and reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner announced Wednesday he'll return to the Ducks after months of contemplating retirement and sitting out the first 28 games of the season.
Ducks general manager Brian Burke announced Niedermayer's decision at a news conference a half-hour before Wednesday night's game against the Buffalo Sabres.
The defending Stanley Cup champions are hoping Teemu Selanne will soon make the same decision as Niedermayer. Burke and the rest of the team's management said they were not disturbed that Niedermayer and Selanne took the time off. "He deserves that respect," Burke said of Niedermayer. "He's going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer."
Ducks general manager Brian Burke announced Niedermayer's decision at a news conference a half-hour before Wednesday night's game against the Buffalo Sabres.
The defending Stanley Cup champions are hoping Teemu Selanne will soon make the same decision as Niedermayer. Burke and the rest of the team's management said they were not disturbed that Niedermayer and Selanne took the time off. "He deserves that respect," Burke said of Niedermayer. "He's going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer."
The GM estimated Niedermayer would be ready play his first game in seven to 10 days.
Without Niedermayer and Selanne, the Ducks have been struggling. They got off to a slow start and were third in the Pacific Division with a 12-12-4 record heading into the game against Buffalo.
Niedermayer is certainly an established veteran to have on your squad. Niedermayer hoisted the Stanley Cup for the fourth time in June and won his first Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He previously won three Stanley Cup rings with the New Jersey Devils before coming to the Ducks in 2005, when he joined brother Rob in Anaheim.
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