NHL - Sports Rumors

Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:31 am EDT

Ducks still have Schneider, but would prefer Selanne

By Joe Zedalis

Teemu Selanne

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The Ducks are set to open training camp Friday with Mathieu Schneider, whose contract they're eager to shed, but without Teemu Selanne, whose scoring knack they urgently need, a sticky situation that could last until an injury on defense drives another team to take on Schneider's $5.75-million salary.

General Manager Brian Burke knew the odds favored the 39-year-old defenseman clearing waivers Wednesday. Still, after Schneider went unclaimed Burke couldn't resist a dig at rivals who saw Schneider's price tag, age (39) and limitations and, rather sensibly, decided to pass.

"Looking at some of the teams and what they plan to start the season with I'm amazed, astonished, you pick the adjective, bewildered, that he wasn't claimed," Burke said. "But those teams have to deal with those issues, not me."

His own concerns are weighty enough. Burke won't re-sign Selanne while Schneider is on the payroll and the Ducks are $3 million over the salary cap —-- even if that means losing the Finnish winger.

"I don't intend to increase the pressure to make a deal by adding to payroll between now and the start of the year," Burke said. "We'll probably deal with it sequentially. We're aware that other teams have talked to Teemu and if that means that he can't wait for us, then that's what would happen."

Source: Los Angeles TimesNew Window

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55 Comments

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  1. Iron Hulk
    1. Posted by Iron Hulk Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    Ducks Rule Los Angeles Ducks of Anaheim...First!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  2. KING DUDE!
    2. Posted by KING DUDE! Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:13 pm EDT

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    STFU Burke! Stop your b!tchin and admit you made a mistake. You made a huge mistake when you paid big bucks for Schneider and Bertuzzi. Now you have dump money and are talkin smack on other teams cause they didn't pickup the over the hill expensive Schneider?! FU dude! I hope Selanne walks and you get it really shoved up where the sun doesn't shine! Quack quack....little ducks! LOL!
  3. ljmiller1975
    3. Posted by ljmiller1975 Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:54 pm EDT

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    LMFAO! Nearly $6 million for a 39 year old? I hope the Ducks keep Schneider, lose Teemu and miss the playoffs completely. The only thing that'd make the year better would be Pronger's knees giving out.
  4. knucklehead
    4. Posted by knucklehead Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    Why bother with Selanne anymore? This guy along with burke and Neidermayer has botched this whole franchise.
  5. grgo28
    5. Posted by grgo28 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:13 pm EDT

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    If I was Burke, I would sign Selanne to a one year consession contract with bonuses. Work the hot dogs in the stands for a while, and if his HDPG average (hot dogs per game) exceeds what he ate in the off-season, then give him a try as a second line seller on the nacho line, or even better, let him flank the cotton candy line. It will all work out. For Schneiderman, he would be a great addition to the housekeeping staff at the Honda Center. Lastly, if anyone see's Corry Perry, let him know he left his shoes under Brian Hayward's bed, and Hazzie's pissed that he didn't call the next day.
  6. Icon
    6. Posted by Icon Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    I blame Kevin Lowe
  7. Toe Tag Boi
    7. Posted by Toe Tag Boi Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    Maybe Selanne should come to Detroit.
  8. vangregs
    8. Posted by vangregs Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:31 pm EDT

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    I'd love to see him in a Hawks uniform. His veteran presence would be a great addition to that young solid core. Go Hawks!!
  9. jonesy
    9. Posted by jonesy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    Although I would love to see selanne come to detroit, there is no space for him. If they didn't pick up hossa they could have. Although i'm a detroit fan, I would like to see selanne go to the blues. I would love to see him play with paul and andy, both people he played with in anaheim, again since he is healthy. As well I know that team could use him since they had a hard time scoring last season. They basically only had one line that scored, so if boyes gets moved down with keith, that could give them the possibllity of having two lines with a scoring touch.
  10. MV
    10. Posted by MV Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:28 pm EDT

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    ha-ha more off season Burke drama, the guy is a terrible GM.
  11. Scott
    11. Posted by Scott Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:51 pm EDT

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    A few of you guys say what a terrible GM Burke is and how he along with Teemu and Niedermayer ruined the team... um, I am not a Ducks fan, but they won a cup in what, Burke's second year with the team. Say what you want about the future of the franchise but come on, he brought in some key players and a good coach which brought a cup to the organization... job acomplished, now he will move on...
    Many teams would rather win now and build after a cup win... Pittsburgh traded away some key future players for a six game series... different teams have different agendas.
  12. Rick A
    12. Posted by Rick A Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:27 pm EDT

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    Hey, Kings. Are you paying attention? I'm sure that a veteran like Selanne would help the team and wouldn't mind driving an extra 30 miles or so up the freeway.
  13. lord_fatal_80
    13. Posted by lord_fatal_80 Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:56 pm EDT

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    Pittsburgh, should sign him to a one year deal. They got some cap space for it, and the Pens are in need of talented wingers. And regardless of Teemu's age, he still got talent and could help any team.
  14. Brickhausen
    14. Posted by Brickhausen Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:13 pm EDT

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    Burke must have been talking about the KINGS. I know they're in a building phase but they have tons of cap room and a veteran like Schneider (who can still play) would be an awesome mentor for LA's young defensemen, especially since he's on the final year of his contract AND it won't cost the team any players or prospects.
  15. Hank
    15. Posted by Hank Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:23 pm EDT

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    Selanne is still an awesome goal scorer and the guy is great in person too. I really hope he comes back to the ducks but if he does go anywhere which is still unlikely i kind of hope its with the blues to be with paul and andy.
  16. Robbyone
    16. Posted by Robbyone Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    Burke has made some very bad moves as of late. True he won a cup but he is really not a good GM quite the opposite, way too many bad moves. I really hope he stays in Ana.
  17. van can
    17. Posted by van can Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT

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    Burkie is the best at the blame game. Hands down. His biggest problem is his loyalty to certain types of players and personnel. He left Vancouver up tight to the cap, leaving Nonis with no room to manoeuvre with. Long term contracts don't work for veterans, especially those nearing the ends of their careers.
    Its coming back to haunt him in Anaheim as well. How the guy has the gall to blame other teams for not picking up a 39 year old one dimensional player is beyond me. I, too, would wait and have half of the salary deferred, paid by the Ducks. Remember, these are the brains that "saved" hockey in Canada.
    This recession is going to kill the bottom line for so many teams, and now we hear Bettman wants to expand further into the USA. I guess the $$$$ from expansion will help some of these shaky franchises, but, who wants to watch hockey in KC or Vegas, the hotbeds of hockey? Maybe he'll find another "Boots" to run a franchise. LOL!
    GOOD JOB BETTMAN!!!!
  18. chris m
    18. Posted by chris m Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:57 pm EDT

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    scott you are right. he won it in his 2nd year. do you know what that means? he won a cup with players the Guy ( i believe it was brian Murry)brought in. Burke is nothing special. he got cocky when the Ducks won the cup and now his team is falling apart. They lost Key players and aren't replacing them with any real Talent. What happens next year when Niedermeyer and Schnieder Retire and Selannee is no longer with the team? the Ducks are falling apart and will be a bottem dweller within 2 years.
  19. books
    19. Posted by books Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    Way to go Burke...most other teams are also starting the season in a position where the don't have to cut a guy because he makes nearly 6 million and they can't affford to sign their players that can actually put the puck in the net. Besides...who would really want to take on a salary like that for anybody that isn't an all star? Somebody seriously over paid for him and now is stuck with him. Good luck avoiding a buy out...if that would even get them out of this cap problem. Maybe they could pay somebody to take him...or offer draft picks. Burke is definetly not in the drivers seat here...
  20. Jeff G
    20. Posted by Jeff G Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

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    Why are you so surprised Burke? Every team in the league knows you are over the cap, why would any team want to do you any favors by helping you get under the cap just so you can sign another guy? Yeah the other teams have to live with it, but by doing so, they are forcing you to live with the decisions you have made. Who is going to be the next McDonald or Bryzgalov that you are forced to trade for peanuts just so you can get another old timer?
  21. cataphractspirit
    21. Posted by cataphractspirit Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

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    Hey #13 I'd be all for Selanne coming to the Pens. But I just don't see it happening. The team's already almost to the cap with who they do have signed.
  22. Fox
    22. Posted by Fox Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:24 pm EDT

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    Oh, this is terrible! I feel so sorry for poor Brian Burke and the Ducks!
    Bryzgalov...Bryzgalov...oh, right: he was that guy Burke said had to be moved because he couldn't justify that amount for a backup (2-300K less than Hiller, for those scoring at home) and then waived the guy (knowing he'd still be in the division) instead of trading him for something because he didn't want to help a team in his own market...and he is now grouchy that the team he refused to help before won't throw down an extra $3M to help him out of the hole he's dug for himself.
    Burke is a consummate finger-pointer though; he'll be perfect in Finger country next year.
  23. dmanx1979
    23. Posted by dmanx1979 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    Selanne to Pens! Zing!
  24. Chris S
    24. Posted by Chris S Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    Teemu will be in Montreal by next week.
  25. kemosabe2010
    25. Posted by kemosabe2010 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    I blame Nonis.

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