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Entries with the tag: scott+niedermayer

Ducks Relying On Niedermayer

from Helene Elliott of the LA Times,

Niedermayer is the only defenseman left from the group that was so vital to the Ducks’ 2007 Stanley Cup title. He’s not sure how this season will unfold, but he was intrigued enough by the possibilities to sign a one-year contract in July soon after his previous four-year deal expired.

“I’m going to watch him all day long, watch how he prepares for games, how he does little things,” Sbisa said. “I’m pretty confident I’ll take a lot of things from him this season.”

The man called “irreplaceable” by General Manager Bob Murray must be the Ducks’ glue if they’re going to regroup on defense and compete with the NHL’s elite.

more

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Niedermayer Talks Ducks Changing Defense

from Curtis Zupke of Ducks Blog at the OC Register,

Can the Ducks build off last season’s run to the conference semifinals with more new faces?

“That will create more challenges, but that’s what this time of year is for,” Niedermayer said. “We’ll try and get on the same track as quickly as possible. We have a good group of guys that were there last year, and a couple of new guys sprinkled in, but I don’t think it will be a problem.

We’re going to be younger back there, but in some ways maybe that’s a good thing. Everybody’s going to have to take more responsibility. Obviously those two guys played an important role on this team the past few years.”

On another topic, Niedermayer said brother Rob is home in British Columbia and staying in shape in the hope of catching on with a team.

more plus Scott has a few kind words for Pronger…

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Report- Niedermayer Returning

via TSN,

sources tell TSN Scott Niedermayer is returning for at least another season

added 7:56pm,

Scott Niedermayer informed Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray this evening that he intends to play for the Ducks next season. The club hopes to sign Niedermayer to a new contract in the near future.

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Niedermayer Talk

from Darren Dreger of TSN,

Ducks general manager Bob Murray met with Niedermayer’s agent, Kevin Epp on Thursday night and spoke directly to his veteran defenceman, but wasn’t given an answer.

That answer is expected at some point today.

Sources say Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson also spoke with Niedermayer on Thursday and encouraged him to play next season and told him Canada considers him a key leader on the 2010 Canadian Olympic team.

If Niedermayer elects to play, there are no guarantees he will re-sign in Anaheim.

The Ducks should be considered the frontrunner, although San Jose, Vancouver and Calgary are also believed to have strong interest.

more

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Waiting On Scott Niedermayer

from Dan Wood of Ducks Blog at the OC Register,

Ducks defenseman Scott Niedermayer and his family are planning to travel Sunday from Orange County to their off-season home in Cranbrook, British Columbia.

Sometime between then and next weekend’s NHL entry draft in Montreal, Niedermayer is expected to reveal his intentions for the coming season to Ducks general manager Bob Murray....

News from Niedermayer, of course, could be that he wants to continue to play, but is interested in entertaining offers from other teams.

“I haven’t thought a lot about that,” Niedermayer said. “First, I need to get to the spot where I’m going to play or I’m not going to play. Am I considering other possibilities? I definitely haven’t thought a lot about it. It’s been good here, and our family is comfortable here.”

Murray expects Niedermayer’s younger brother, checking-line right wing Rob Niedermayer, and defenseman Francois Beauchemin to explore free-agent options beginning July 1.

“I’ll get a chance to see if I can match (any offer to Beauchemin) after a couple of days,” Murray said.

more including Murray has had contract talks with James Wisniewski.

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

What Will Scott Niedermayer Do?

from Helene Elliott of the LA Times,

Ducks General Manager Bob Murray probably cost himself some negotiating leverage and big bucks Friday when he called Scott Niedermayer “irreplaceable” and all but begged the smooth-skating defenseman to sign for another season.

It might be worth the elevated price.

With Niedermayer, the Ducks can retain a strong corps of veterans while easing younger legs into the lineup, a process Murray began with late-season trades that transformed them from a bottom-feeder to a playoff upstart that dismissed the top-seeded Sharks in the first round and took the defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings to seven gritty games.

If Niedermayer retires, right wing Teemu Selanne could follow, despite having a year left on his contract. To a team already thin on its second line—Murray’s other priority—losing Selanne might trigger a step backward.

Murray said he needs to know Niedermayer’s plans before the June 26 draft so he can formulate a strategy.

continued

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Boys Being Boys After Wings/Ducks Game

The elbow from Scott Niedermayer on Pavel Datsyuk can bee seen around the 1:35 minute mark.

added 6:32am, from Ansar Khan Mlive,

Datsyuk shrugged it off as just a part of hockey.

“I don’t want to talk about that,” Datsyuk said. “It’s not my priority.”

Said Niedermayer: “There was a lot going on, I don’t know how it all started. The next thing you know my gloves are off. That doesn’t happen too often. I didn’t even know who it was at first. I took a couple of punches to the face. I guess after a couple, I figured I’d try a couple.”

more

added 6:48am, from Ken Campbell of The Hockey News,

NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell will have some video to watch after Scott Niedermayer elbowed Datsyuk in the final seconds of the game, which led to a fight between the two at the buzzer. But given the fact a precedent has been set allowing players to cold-cock unsuspecting opponents in the face in this year’s playoff tournament, don’t count on anything coming down.

more on game 6…

Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Pavel+Datsyuj, Scott+Niedermayer,

What Will Niedermayer Do?

from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail, .

..Even Steve Yzerman, the team’s executive director, confirmed as much. When asked about the scrutiny and attention, even a year away, he said he’s been monitoring the coverage on television and the Internet and doesn’t mind it at all.

“It’s a good thing that people are interested,” said Yzerman. “I love sitting and listening to people’s opinions on who should be there and who should be coaching and this and that. More information is good.”

That’s just as well, since the discussion will continue right up until the team is selected – early December is the projection, which would give the organizers enough time to do accreditation, security checks, drug tests and deal with all the minutiae in terms of protocols that come into play when preparing for a competition of this magnitude.

Of all the questions percolating about the roster selections, the most intriguing may revolve around the availability of Scott Niedermayer.

more plus additional NHL notes…

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Scott Niedermayer Named Ducks Captain

via the Anaheim Ducks,

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has named four-time Stanley Cup champion Scott Niedermayer team captain. Chris Pronger and Ryan Getzlaf have been named alternate captains for the 2008-09 season. In addition, Rob Niedermayer will serve as an additional alternate captain when necessary.

“Scotty is a tremendous leader and has been for his entire career,” said Head Coach Randy Carlyle. “We have several experienced leaders on this team, and we will need them to work as a group in order for us to have success.”

“It’s an honor to be named team captain,” said Niedermayer. “We have several great leaders in this locker room and I’m just happy to be part of that.”

Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Niedermayer Recovers All Of His ‘Fine’ Money

from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,

Scott Niedermayer is getting his money back ... all of it ... every single cent of the $490,909.08 he was improperly fined by the NHL for missing Anaheim’s training camp last season, The Post has learned.

As originally reported by The Post on April 20, the former Devil had been fined under Article 15.3 (f) of the collective-bargaining agreement even though he had been granted permission by GM Brian Burke to take an unpaid leave of absence in the wake of Anaheim’s 2007 Stanley Cup victory, the fourth championship of the defenseman’s career.

Two days later, TSN.ca leaped to the defense of the league - shocker, there - by contending that the fine was mandatory despite the unambiguous wording of the CBA that a penalty should be imposed only if a player refuses to report without his club’s permission.

continued

Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Niedermayer Back

from the CP via the Miramichi Leader,

The Anaheim Ducks star defenceman will honour the final year of his contract after once again contemplating retirement.

“Scott met with (Ducks GM) Brian Burke today and made it official,” Niedermayer’s agent Kevin Epp of Titan Sports Management told The Canadian Press. “He is coming back.”

Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Report- Niedermayer Expected Back

from the Ducks Blog at the Ducks website,

I’m not going to get into the other topic on the table in Ducks land, but I will say that the buzz around here is that we will be hearing word from Scott Niedermayer as early as tomorrow morning. And while it’s well-documented that I don’t have a good reputation with this sort of thing, you can book it: He’s coming back.

And with Scotty coming back, you’ve got to feel like No. 8 won’t be far behind. But let’s not count those chickens before they ... have a bird in the hand. Or something like that.

I will say that Brian Burke told season tickets holders at Select-a-Seat on Monday night that he feels that both players will come back.

more

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Take Your Time Scott

from Darren Dreger of TSN,

While it’s possible Scott Niedermayer will make a decision on his playing future either today or tomorrow, the Anaheim Ducks aren’t pressuring him to do so.

Ducks general manager Brian Burke called Niedermayer on Wednesday to tell him Friday wasn’t a deadline established by the Ducks, adding the real deadline for the team is July 1.

continued

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Decision Time For Niedermayer

from TSN,

The Anaheim Ducks will find out Friday whether or not defenceman Scott Niedermayer will be joining them for the 2008-09 season.

Niedermayer’s agent, Kevin Epp of Titan Sports Management told TSN on Wednesday that his client will inform general manager Brian Burke of what his future plans will be - playing out the last season of his contract or retiring.

continued

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Scott Niedermayer Might Get His $500,000 Back

From the Canadian Press,

The Anaheim Ducks star defenceman already lost about US$2 million in wages from his $6.75-million salary for missing the first two months of the season. He was suspended without pay until he returned in mid-December. But in addition, as revealed by the New York Post over the weekend, Niedermayer’s salary was also reduced by $500,000 for missing all of training camp, as mandated by a clause in the collective bargaining agreement.

However, multiple sources told The Canadian Press on Monday that the NHL and NHL Players’ Association are working towards a resolution that would see Niedermayer recoup most, if not all, of the $500,000 and also clarify what implications this has on the Ducks’ salary cap.

more...

Note: Larry Brooks New York Post story yesterday, linked previously on KK

Update 9:00pm ET: Bob McKenzie at TSN says that everyone has the story wrong:

As the New York Post reported on Sunday, Niedermayer has indeed been fined $500,000 because he missed training camp, but the fine was levied not by the NHL but the Ducks themselves. And according to the CBA, it is the Ducks who are mandated to fine Niedermayer for his decision to temporarily retire and miss training camp.

Confused?  Continue reading for a complete understanding of the CBA issues at play

Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: cba, scott+niedermayer,

You’re Late For Work

from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,

You would have thought the NHL would have been delighted to welcome back Scott Niedermayer, a champion at every level of the game and a wonderful ambassador for the sport, upon his Dec. 15 return to the lineup following the early-season sabbatical he was granted by the Ducks.

Of course, you would have been wrong.

Slap Shots has learned that instead, the league has sought to punish Niedermayer by fining him approximately $500,000 of his $6.75M salary for missing training camp, unilaterally invoking Article 15.3 (f) of the CBA that reads, “For each day a Player does not report to Training Camp without his Club’s permission, his pay will be reduced by 1/275th of his annual . . . salary . . . ”

read on

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Together Again

from Karen Crouse of the New York Times,

“The challenge of coming back and trying to win the Stanley Cup again appealed to me,” Scott said. Looking back, he said, he simply needed time to recharge. “If Brian had forced my hand,” he said, “I’d still be sitting at home and Rob would still be driving by on his way to practice and wondering what I was doing.”

When they are together, the Niedermayers are like Alphonse and Gaston: they are bracingly polite. That does not mean they do not sometimes needle each other. Rob’s nickname for Scott is Norm, after the George Wendt character on “Cheers.” Scott’s corresponding nickname for Rob is Cliff.

more

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Hart Thinking

from Damien Cox at ESPN,

While the NHL was battling through the first 30 games of its schedule, both Scott Niedermayer and Ty Conklin were mostly sitting around.

Niedermayer was trying to figure out whether at age 34 he’d had enough of pro hockey and needed to look elsewhere for new challenges.

Conklin, meanwhile, was the third-string goalie of the Pittsburgh Penguins, probably wondering whether at age 31 he was ever going to get a serious NHL chance again.

Yet, here we are now in mid-January, and the impact these two players have had on this season in the past month is remarkable.

Hart-like, really.

more

Filed in: NHL Teams | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer, Ty+Conklin,

Time For Ducks To Make A Move In The Standings

from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,

On Sunday, the Ducks became the first NHL team to reach the mid-point of the season — and while they were technically in eighth spot in the Western Conference, most of the teams chasing them held three-to-five games in hand. Prorated over the course of a full season, their 43 points in 41 games is unlikely to be enough to get them into the playoffs. So they need to make a surge, and with five of their next six games at home, and with checking centre Sami Pahlsson scheduled to return to the line-up, this would be a good time to start the turnaround.

The identity of the team is still evolving, but it is clear they will be playing in a lot of low-scoring games from here on in, barring the return of Teemu Selanne or a deal at the deadline to add a goal-scorer - given the strength of their defensive corps, from Niedermayer and Chris Pronger to Schneider and Francois Beauchemin and their comparatively limited offensive personnel.

read on… and remember that internet rumor junk that was floating around, “if you knew the real reason why Niedermayer wants to retire, you would understand”?, well, in the article from Eric, Scott says he just wanted to make sure he wanted to play again, no conspiracy theories…

Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Chris Pronger on Niedermayer’s Return

From Chris Pronger at The Hockey News,

There are those who wondered about Scott’s decision to take time off, but not his teammates. We understood and so did our fans. Anaheim Ducks fans are delighted Scott has decided to play again. They enjoy the way he plays.

Scott has the right to retire or play, regardless of his contract situation. What some people forget is, when we sign with a team, that team has the right to play us, not play us, put us on waivers, send us down or trade us. Teams own your rights; they don’t own your soul.

more...

Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: anaheim+ducks, chris+pronger, scott+niedermayer,

Niedermayer Ready

from the Anaheim Ducks,

With a decision looming on Friday’s game against Minnesota, Niedermayer said he feels prepared to play if it’s decided for him to do so.

“I would be ready,” Niedermayer said. “Would I be 100 percent? Probably not, but I probably won’t be. I’m going to need to get some games under my belt and go from there. I think Friday’s a possibility, but it’s really no up to me.”

A factor still being sorted out in getting Niedermayer on the ice is freeing up a roster space and the tagging room specified by Brian Burke when he announced the defenseman’s return on Dec. 5.

more

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Mid-Season Returns

from Al Strachan at Fox Sports,

Fans of the Anaheim Ducks are delighted that Scott Niedermayer has decided to end his self-imposed retirement and return to the team.

But should they be? And what about all the other hockey fans? How should they feel about it?

The answer is that when you get right down to it, there is cause for concern for everyone in this situation.

continued

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

The Niedermayer Timeline

from Bob McKenzie of TSN,

So here’s the bottom line - Niedermayer’s suspension will not be lifted until such time that he is a) in game shape; and, b) the Ducks make a trade to free up “tagging” room for next season.

How long all that takes only Burke knows for sure.

What we do know is that this all has to transpire in 21 days or less. Twenty-one days is the amount of time the league will allow Niedermayer to remain in a suspended state where he can practice with the team, work out with the team, but not be on the 23-man roster, not count against the cap or play a game.

read on

Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: anaheim+ducks, brian+burke, Scott+Niedermayer,

Ducks Trade Speculation

From Eric Duhatschek at the Globe & Mail,

Truth be told, the player the Ducks would most like to ship out is Todd Marchant who earns $2.517 million - too much for what he brings to the table as a fourth-line checking forward. Who would take Marchant, up front, at the figure? No one. That’s why the Ducks might need to get creative to make a deal happen. Someone with salary-cap space might take Marchant off their hands, provided Anaheim sweetened the deal by including their own 2008 first-round choice in the transaction.

more

*Bob McKenzie quotes sources earlier, speculating that Niedermayer may be confirming his return shortly. Given the salary cap ramifications, rumors are certainly flowing

Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: anaheim+ducks, scott+niedermayer, todd+marchant, trade+rumors,

Report- Niedermayer Prepared To Return

from Bob McKenzie of TSN,

Could this be the week Scott Niedermayer ends his retirement and returns to the Anaheim Ducks?

It’s beginning to look that way.

Sources close to Niedermayer suggest he is prepared to return to the NHL team in the near future.

continued

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Burke Talks

Brian Burke was interviewed by Chris Simpson tonight at the Bruins/Leafs game.

On Teemu Selanne, Burke said they are expecting to see his picture on a milk carton soon, they haven’t heard from him at all.

Regarding Scott Niedermayer, Burke mentioned there are indications he wants to come back, but they have not heard anything from Scott about it.

added 8:22pm, While we are on the subject of Brian Burke…

from Brian Milner of the Globe and Mail,

Most Canadians know Brian Burke as the forceful, combative hockey executive who shaped the Anaheim Ducks into the reigning Stanley Cup champions and who wouldn’t seem out of place trading elbows with an opponent in front of the net.

What few people know is that Mr. Burke’s hugely successful career in the National Hockey League was built on a strong legal foundation that continues to play an important role in how he views the sports world and his place in it.

continued

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 Tags: Brian+Burke, Scott+Niedermayer, Teemu+Selanne,

No Kidding- Ducks Miss Semi-Retired Duo

from Mark Whicker of the OC Register,

Losing Niedermayer and Selanne, which would be roughly comparable to Detroit losing Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg, sends ripples through the roster and diminishes everyone else. Few have been more disadvantaged than McDonald.

“Absolutely, it’s frustrating,” he said at Wednesday morning’s skate. “There have been a lot of different combinations, which is the coach’s prerogative and something you have to try to do to turn things around.

more

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 Tags: anaheim+ducks, andy+mcdonald, scott+niedermayer, teemu+selanne,

“Missing” Ducks Still Undecided

from the CP via NHL.com,

Selanne said the Ducks haven’t pushed him to make a decision, and he also offered no timetable.

“If I’m going to come back, it has to come from inside,” he said. “I want to make sure this decision is right.”

What if Niedermayer calls and says he’s coming back?

“I’m going to have second thoughts,” Selanne said, smiling.

more

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 Tags: anaheim+ducks, Scott+Niedermayer, Teemu+Selanne,

Niedermayer Mindset Hasn’t Changed

from Darren Dreger at TSN,

Niedermayer says his mindset hasn’t changed, adding that if it had he would have reported to training camp with his teammates and he would be in tonight’s lineup in Detroit.

Read into that what you will, however this future Hall of Famer won’t officially tip his hand, other than to say he will be present at the Ducks home opener a week tonight for the raising of the Stanley Cup banner and he doesn’t intend to drag this storyline much beyond that.

Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: anaheim+ducks, Scott+Niedermayer,

Niedermayer Suspended

from the CP via TSN,

The Anaheim Ducks officially suspended Scott Niedermayer on Tuesday, a formality that was expected on the first day of camp with the star defenceman a no-show.

“Yes, he was suspended today,” Ducks GM Brian Burke said during an NHL media conference call. “I spoke with Scott to tell him he was being suspended, which Scotty expected.”

continued

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Best Line Of The Day

from The Maven of MSG Network,

Scotty (Niedermayer) is looking more like Hamlet than Nieder. Unless, of course, he simply wants to escape training camp as Hall of Famer Glenn Hall and others did through the years.

read on

Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

Do The Ducks Know Niedermayer Plan

from Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun,

Either Scott Niedermayer is planning on pulling a Roger Clemens by showing up after Christmas, or we need to re-evaluate the notion he’s one of the game’s great leaders.

The Ducks captain couldn’t possibly let his teammates and team management twist in the wind as it appears.

continued

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 Tags: Scott+Niedermayer,

     

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