So the best GM on the planet is going to lose a top 4 defensemen with elite scoring ability and a starting goaltender for nothing?  Great job Burkie!

Posted by Heaton on 09/16/08 at 11:50 AM ET

Oh brother… it’s Bryzgalov all over again. Maybe I’m just missing something here, but it seems odd that Burke couldn’t get a single asset in exchange for either of these players.

Posted by JG on 09/16/08 at 11:50 AM ET

ever get the feeling that Burke isn’t a great trading partner?

Posted by bsalamon on 09/16/08 at 11:57 AM ET

I would hazard a guess that in the tight cap world, GMs are more likely to deal based on positions of strength and weakness. Burke signed Schneider to a very large contract, only to have Niedermayer return. Now that he’s got no room (and over the cap by over a million), and trying to sign Selanne, he’s not dealing from a position of strength. Teams know that he has to clear cap room, and that he wants to clear enough to sign Selanne, so it’s obvious that he’s not going to get a great trade dealing someone he’s forced to deal, and in the end he’s only paying for his misjudgements.

Maybe Tampa will take Schneider: an offensive defenseman with MORE than 246 games of NHL experience? What a perfect fit.

Posted by SENShobo from Waterloo, ON on 09/16/08 at 12:02 PM ET

Maybe I’m just missing something here, but it seems odd that Burke couldn’t get a single asset in exchange for either of these players.

Burke’s not getting assets directly back for these waiver deals, but it’s not like there isn’t a payoff.

By shipping Bryzgalov and McDonald last year, he was able to land Niedermayer, Weight, Selanne, and keep Schneider aboard for a full year.  Not a bad return, if you ask me.

Now by moving Schneider he gets to sign a cheap Selanne and keep Scott Niedermayer.  Also seems reasonable.

I wouldn’t look at just the waiver part of these deals by themselves; by freeing up salary Burke has gotten plenty of return for these players, at least from this Duck fan’s perspective.

Posted by Earl Sleek from Anaheim, CA on 09/16/08 at 12:13 PM ET

I think Tampa might be a good spot, but Carolina would be a better fit for Schneider and potential success.  They are a more defensively responsible team than I expect Tampa to be, and I have no confidance that Kolzig is still a number 1 goalie, whereas I definitely think Ward is at least above average, and we still haven’t seen him hit his potential ceiling.
In addition to that, at least according to this site (http://www.nhlnumbers.com/compare.php?season=0809&type=capspace&order=ASC) unlike Tampa, Carolina has the cap space to bring Schneider on without dumping salary.
Granted Anaheim won the stanley cup the year before he joined them, it still smelled of a mercinery move on Schneider’s part (yes, I’m a Wings fan).  I don’t blame him for the move, but you can’t expect teams to be any less mercinery than you yourself are.

Posted by arcane_caf from NoVa - Outside D.C. on 09/16/08 at 12:21 PM ET

Burke....what a douche

Posted by maxey from houston on 09/16/08 at 12:28 PM ET

Earl --

Glad you’re enjoying Burke’s managerial version of the shell game.

Can you also see the bright side of the Bertuzzi buyout through those rose-colored glasses of yours?

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 09/16/08 at 12:51 PM ET

Burke’s not getting assets directly back for these waiver deals, but it’s not like there isn’t a payoff.

He is not getting a thing for Schneider.  He is getting Selanne for freed up cap room, but not for Schneider.  What people, including me are wondering, if HOW does Burke not even get a low end draft pick for this guy (or Bryzgalov last year)?  Both were/are worth at least a couple low picks over a couple years, and they would not affect Anaheim’s cap room at the present. 

Throwing away NHL calibre for nothing is not good.  This shows a GM that is difficult to deal with, or expects too much, and then is forced to throw players away.

Posted by 41 Long Ones from Edmonton on 09/16/08 at 12:54 PM ET

I would be great to see Tampa grab him. But considering they’re trying to dump a couple guys right now to get to 47 million (they’re at 50 now), I doubt they’d sign him. It’s a real shame though. He’d be a good replacement for Boyle.

Posted by Josh from Tampa on 09/16/08 at 12:54 PM ET

i need to play a few hand of poker with burke. i’m sure he will take time out after the cards are dealt to tell the media what cards he has and the ones he needs.

Posted by heed on 09/16/08 at 12:54 PM ET

Can you also see the bright side of the Bertuzzi buyout through those rose-colored glasses of yours?

I’m less in favor of that buyout, but it wasn’t the worst thing.  Basically, I think buyouts are a strategy for rich teams to mess with, and the Ducks probably should have kept him for one more year.

Still, I’m glad the oaf is off the roster—the rest of the forwards had to do a lot of backchecking when Bertuzzi was unwilling.

Burke’s not perfect, but if you think I should be upset because the Ducks didn’t get a low pick or something, sorry.  I’ve seen Burke’s draft record, and I’m not going to lose any sleep.

Posted by Earl Sleek from Anaheim, CA on 09/16/08 at 12:57 PM ET

I wish I had Burke in my fantasy leagues, first Bryzgalov, now Schneider.  Who’s next, Niedermayer?  Getzlaf?

Posted by Bob on 09/16/08 at 12:58 PM ET

He is not getting a thing for Schneider.  He is getting Selanne for freed up cap room, but not for Schneider.

OK, Captain Semantics.

But Schneider was a UFA signing.  He didn’t cost Burke anything; I don’t know why it’s critical that there be some return on this, especially since the Ducks can’t take on salary in any trade.

Posted by Earl Sleek from Anaheim, CA on 09/16/08 at 01:00 PM ET

By shipping Bryzgalov and McDonald last year, he was able to land Niedermayer, Weight, Selanne, and keep Schneider aboard for a full year.  Not a bad return, if you ask me.

Semantics aside, Weight is now on Long Island, Schneider is headed elsewhere, there’s a good chance Niedermayer is playing his last year in the NHL, and Selanne can’t be far behind.  By contrast, Bryzgalov will be a stud NHL goalie for years to come and McDonald was, IMO, sorely missed by last year’s edition of the Ducks. 

Bertuzzi- well, when even Kenny Boy gets burned, I guess you can’t say much…

Not exactly strokes of managerial genius, though, Earl.  Better hope Bobby Ryan pans out.

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 09/16/08 at 01:11 PM ET

To complete my thought, I guess you could justify those moves in terms of a win now, tomorrow be damned sort of way, but isn’t long term franchise strength a better measure of managerial skill?

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 09/16/08 at 01:12 PM ET

By contrast, Bryzgalov will be a stud NHL goalie for years to come and McDonald was, IMO, sorely missed by last year’s edition of the Ducks.

Sure, but with Giguere on a no-movement clause for the next three years, Bryzgalov had to get his shot elsewhere.  That seems inevitable.

McDonald was missed, sure (the Weight thing backfired), but probably not as much as the injured Perry.

Posted by Earl Sleek from Anaheim, CA on 09/16/08 at 01:14 PM ET

Bryzgalov = bad deal… but he had no choice (read the background on the situation).
Burtuzzi = bad deal… but the team is better without him.
Schneider = null and void. What’s the difference between a 2-year deal, and a 1 year deal in this case? It will backfire if nobody picks him up, but short of that…

Posted by Itlan on 09/16/08 at 01:14 PM ET

To complete my thought, I guess you could justify those moves in terms of a win now, tomorrow be damned sort of way, but isn’t long term franchise strength a better measure of managerial skill?

Sure, there’s definitely two sides.  I don’t mind putting eggs in a basket during the short window of Niedermayer-Pronger opportunity, though.

And have the Ducks lost that much in future assets?  I don’t Burke’s been that careless about the long-term health of the franchise, but I’m not the best prospect-follower.

Posted by Earl Sleek from Anaheim, CA on 09/16/08 at 01:19 PM ET

I don’t “think” Burke’s been that careless, I mean.

Posted by Earl Sleek from Anaheim, CA on 09/16/08 at 01:19 PM ET

I’ve seen Burke’s draft record, and I’m not going to lose any sleep.

Exactly, Burke is the most overrated front-office type in all of professional sports.

Posted by Nathan on 09/16/08 at 01:24 PM ET

Exactly, Burke is the most overrated front-office type in all of professional sports.

Is somebody going around bragging what a great drafter Brian Burke is?  I have yet to see that.

Or is that no longer a requirement for “overrated”?

Posted by Earl Sleek from Anaheim, CA on 09/16/08 at 01:25 PM ET

Seems like LA should look long and hard at picking him up. They’re still under the floor and appear to only have 4 defencemen under contract (according to nhlnumbers.com)

Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 09/16/08 at 01:31 PM ET

It will backfire if nobody picks him up, but short of that…
Posted by Itlan on 09/16 at 02:14 PM

My best case scenario: Nobody picks Schneider up and Burke has to bring him through re-entry waivers—and pay half of his salary—to get a team to take him. Just the thought brings a smile to my face.

(Nothing against Schneider, but I’ve never liked Burke.)

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 09/16/08 at 01:42 PM ET

To complete my thought, I guess you could justify those moves in terms of a win now, tomorrow be damned sort of way, but isn’t long term franchise strength a better measure of managerial skill?

Burke doesn’t have a deal to stay in anaheim past this year...and he may have known that last year when he let Ilya go for nothing, let alone when he bought out Bertuzzi and let “Mercenary” Matt Schnieder go.

Point is, if Burke knew he wasn’t going to be with the Ducks after the 2008-2009 season, why would he try and make them stronger if he knows he might be facing them after this season?  Just something to think about…

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 09/16/08 at 01:44 PM ET

As a Wings fan, I’m much happier with Rafalski. Too bad Schneids...moving yet again.

These are the kind of days you’re grateful to have Kenny boy at the helm.

Posted by Osrt on 09/16/08 at 02:01 PM ET

Schneider is a SoCal boy so I reckon he’d get picked up by the Kings...again.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 09/16/08 at 02:22 PM ET

Unless Tampa gets him - and then waives a couple forwards to fit under the cap. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 09/16/08 at 02:30 PM ET

thats why redwings fans have the fortune of having Ken Holland as the gm, unlike burkie who is relying on selanne, he went out and picked up Hossa. 1st round exit for the ducks even if they make the playoffs.

Posted by rainingblood on 09/16/08 at 02:38 PM ET

thats why redwings fans have the fortune of having Ken Holland as the gm, unlike burkie who is relying on selanne, he went out and picked up Hossa.

You do understand that the Ducks are over the salary cap even before signing Selanne, right?  Schneider had to be moved regardless.

I don’t know if you’re going to convince a lot of people that Selanne’s second Anaheim tenure has been a failure, but good luck!

Posted by Earl Sleek from Anaheim, CA on 09/16/08 at 03:01 PM ET

me thinks Earl from Anaheim is a bit of a Ducks/Burke supporter Nice to see SoCal fans around!

But honestly, as a Toronto fan (every crap team has to keep SOME fans, right???), you can keep Burke.  Burke + Ontario Teachers = another 41 years with no Cup.

Posted by 41 Long Ones from Edmonton on 09/16/08 at 03:07 PM ET

I too dont understand the ‘we gotta get something back for him’ moans. We’re way over the cap, getting rid of Schneids will birng us under the cap,.. why would we wanna take someone else on to get us back over? This is a salary dump thta we need!

Posted by rob from soviet canuckistan on 09/16/08 at 03:08 PM ET

“1st round exit for the ducks even if they make the playoffs. “

Same team that won the cup only with Morrison, Ryan, and Montador instead of Mcdonald, Penner, and Dipenta.

Only now getzlaf and perry are all-stars.

Anyhow:
The cap space was more important than adding a 5th round pick anyway. Waiving schnieder just prevented the entire thing from dragging out.

Schnieder was a stop-gap, he’s no longer necessary, now he’s gone. They didnt give up anything to get him, and they get nothing to get rid of him. fairly reasonable.

Posted by Tony Hrkac on 09/16/08 at 03:12 PM ET

Same team that won the cup only with Morrison, Ryan, and Montador instead of Mcdonald, Penner, and Dipenta.

And you’re saying they’re better? I’d say they’re a bit weaker, but we’ll see what happens once the season starts. In any case, it would be tough to argue that their Western rivals haven’t improved in meantime.

Posted by shep from california on 09/16/08 at 03:50 PM ET

me thinks Earl from Anaheim is a bit of a Ducks/Burke supporter Nice to see SoCal fans around!

Methinks you should read around the Internet a little bit more often.

As for this move - it was inevitable.  I’m sure Burke did his part to find someone to trade with, but with Schneider’s salary, its not surprising no one bit.  It was a signing that made me scratch my head in the first place putting a guy like Schneider who played suspect defense already on a team where defense is the top priority.

I’d imagine he ends up with the Kings, it seems all too obvious.  Would Atlanta come knocking on the sly, perhaps?

Posted by HockeyJoe from NY on 09/16/08 at 04:47 PM ET

Joe- don’t you mean “internets”?

Aside from Burke, what are the chances no one claims Schneids?  Last year I would never have suggested such an outcome, but he is getting a bit long in the tooth at this point, and that’s a pretty hefty contract he’s dragging around… If LA passes, I think it’s a real possibility…

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 09/16/08 at 05:08 PM ET

Yes “teh INTERNETS!!11!!” Silly me!

If LA passes on Schneider I think you could see Atlanta jump into the mix.  nhlnumbers.com has them listed as being $2 million under the cap still, although I think they could also be in on Aucoin if they’re looking to stick as close to the floor as possible.

Posted by HockeyJoe from NY on 09/16/08 at 05:28 PM ET

Unless Tampa gets him - and then waives a couple forwards to fit under the cap.

That would actually be a GOOD move by Tampa, so don’t count on it.

I too dont understand the ‘we gotta get something back for him’ moans. We’re way over the cap, getting rid of Schneids will birng us under the cap,.. why would we wanna take someone else on to get us back over? This is a salary dump thta we need!

You do know that they are allowed trade for draft picks right....
Obviously your bargaining chips are low since other teams know that you have to dump money, but even if all you get is a 7th round pick, its better than waiving him for nothing.

Posted by Kevin from Pittsburgh on 09/16/08 at 05:31 PM ET

It just seems to me that Burke grossly overpaid for both Bertuzzi and Schneider last year to make sure the Wings wouldn’t re-sign them; now he’s feeling the burn of his own flame.  It’s ironic that he cries foul when Kevin Lowe throws a wrench into his plans.

Posted by mike from michigan on 09/16/08 at 05:38 PM ET

For what it’s worth, it looks as if the Kings are going to pass on claiming Schneider.  Inside the Kings has been pretty reliable on their reporting in the past, if that’s a concern.

Posted by Earl Sleek from Anaheim, CA on 09/16/08 at 05:44 PM ET

Burke- “the burn of his own flame.” I like it.

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 09/16/08 at 06:30 PM ET

Bolts Report says Lightning won’t claim Schneider either.  If he clears, then maybe…

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 09/16/08 at 06:47 PM ET

Thanks, Earl, for the news from the Kings camp.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 09/16/08 at 08:07 PM ET

I wonder if we haven’t been thinking about this the wrong way. It seems like many people think that Schneider was waived because nobody was nice enough to throw a pick, even a 7th rounder, his way for Schneider.

But what if it’s the reverse? Some people have reminded us how ‘great’ it is to get him off the books. You gain over $5 million in cap space, you still have an amazing defense corps, and you get to sign Selanne (and depending on his generosity, maybe have room left). What if it’s Burke who doesn’t realize how much benefit he gets, while his trading partner would get a huge salary for an aging vet with no guarantee of putting up good numbers that might well have been kept high due to his presence on one of the most all-star defenses, and before that one of the best all-around teams? What if the problem isn’t that a team wouldn’t give up a 7th rounder (come on, if they even slightly wanted him, they would have), but rather that Burke wouldn’t add anything to his contribution, so that the trade is more than some team volunteering to be Burke-whipped?

If no team would trade a 7th rounder for him, I highly doubt that the ‘drastic difference’ of keeping that 7th rounder would change their minds now. And since Burke wasn’t willing to sweeten the Schneider pot, I’m not sure I can see him bringing Schneider back up to be on the hook for half his salary. This might wind up putting a lot of egg on Burke’s face, but I suppose we have until later today to find out where the egg lands.

Posted by SENShobo from Waterloo, ON on 09/17/08 at 08:36 AM ET

Yeah, i guess if no one wants him off of waivers, no one would have wanted to trade anything for him.

Anyway, Schnieder should just retire, and screw over the Ducks. Because of the 35 yr old contract thing, his contract would still count against the ducks, and they STILL couldn’t sign Selanne.
But maybe Schnieder doesn’t hate the ducks as much as most people do…

Posted by Kevin from Pittsburgh on 09/17/08 at 08:45 AM ET

According to Spector’s Trade Rumours today, he doesn’t have to retire. Since he’s over 35 and on a multi-year deal, his contract can never be cleared. Either it’s on their books if he retires, or it’s still on them if he’s in the minors. If nobody claims him in the next two hours, it’ll be interesting to see if Burke’s so desperate that he’ll pay half of Schneider’s salary, and sign Selanne to a league minimum salary contract.

Posted by SENShobo from Waterloo, ON on 09/17/08 at 09:01 AM ET