Maybe Burkie should contact his good friend Kevin Lowe and trade Schneider for Smid? 

Posted by dash_pinched from Calgary on 12/06/07 at 11:29 AM ET

Yes, look at the BIG favor Niedermayer is doing for his team.  What a guy, eh?

If teams are smart, they’ll just not trade with Burke—make him figure it out himself without helping him out.  I’d like to see that very much…

Posted by Primis on 12/06/07 at 12:24 PM ET

I have 2 predictions, 1 is that Burke will not be ripped off in the trade to come, and two Neidermayer plays next year.

Posted by Penaltyshots.ca on 12/06/07 at 12:28 PM ET

No reflection on Burke but wouldn’t it be unfortunate if Scott played one game
and retired because he couldn;t take the pressure.

Posted by Ted from Innisfil, Ontario on 12/06/07 at 01:08 PM ET

I don’t see how Burke can possibly get a good deal. Hey, look what happened with the Federov deal, it’s possible, but not very probable. Like Primis said, the other GMs in the league can essentially hold Neidermayer hostage from the Ducks if Burke isn’t willing to essentially give away Schneider.

Posted by Nathan on 12/06/07 at 01:12 PM ET

Niedermayer will not play next year, guaranteed. Burke has 21 days from the day the suspension is lifted to get under the cap. So the Ducks are not hamstrung with this move, they have time.

Posted by Itlan on 12/06/07 at 01:29 PM ET

OK, the only thing I’m confused about is why couldn’t they just bury salary in the AHL if noone will trade with them?

Posted by Karina on 12/06/07 at 01:39 PM ET

They could bury the salary, but the owners have a $45mil budget they want to abide by. Sending Marchant down to Portland is an option, but I am sure there is some team out there who wants a checking center for cheap…

Posted by Itlan on 12/06/07 at 01:46 PM ET

Actually Itlan, you’re off a bit.

He can only remain suspended another 21 days, according to the article.  So it’s not 21 days AFTER the suspension is lifted, but 21 days period.  They have to have room the moment they reinstate him and lift his “suspension”.  And they can only keep him suspended 21 more days.

So there is a bit more urgency there.

Posted by Primis on 12/06/07 at 01:46 PM ET

OK, the only thing I’m confused about is why couldn’t they just bury salary in the AHL if noone will trade with them?

Yeah, or better yet, just send a player on the waiver train to Phoenix.  I don’t think a trade is the only possible outcome here.

Posted by Earl Sleek on 12/06/07 at 03:28 PM ET

Yep Earl, that may be the most logical option.
Burke is dealing from a position of weakness right now, the other GMs know it and I don’t think many will do him a favor right now.
If he dangles the #1 pick, that may help with any negotiations.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 12/06/07 at 03:30 PM ET

Itlan and Earl both make good points. The fact remains that Burke is in the worst position when it comes to trying to get value.

He can’t shed multiple, lesser paid players because you obviously have to fill a roster.

As McKenzie mentions, even if he dangles guys with attractive contracts to go along with their ability, like Beauchemin, other teams will have the leverage to get them for nothing—so that’s not an option.

McKenzie mentions maybe MacDonald, but I really don’t see where that makes sense for the Ducks. I know he’s struggling without Selanne, but if they let him go their already below par offense gets a lot worse.

The only guy that it makes sense for them to trade is Schneider. And with the relatively large contract he’s carrying, coming off an injury, and not putting up great numbers yet… how moveable is he, even before you take into account the fact that Burke is already in a position of weakness?

I agree with Paul. I think it’ll look a lot like the deal New Jersey and the Sharks had to swing, where the trade for the pick was essentially a trade for salary cap space.

If you’re an Edmonton fan (or anyone else that doesn’t like Burke), it could turn out to be a very interesting form of flipping him the bird…

Posted by Nathan on 12/06/07 at 06:11 PM ET