Faceoff Factor

Nothing Like A Last-Minute Decision

Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League

Aug 28, 09:29 AM | Hype this story!

Just two months ago, the world watched as Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne hoisted the Stanley Cup above their heads.

At the time, many, if not most, hockey fans figured it would be the last time they would see these two great players.

Now, with just weeks remaining until training camps across the NHL are slated to begin, their pending retirements are still….well, pending.

At what point will they make announcements? Better yet, at what point will the Anaheim Ducks management demand decisions?

Apparently, the answer to the second question may come soon.

“Obviously, at some point I have to ask Scotty if he plans to come to camp or not,” said general manager Brian Burke in an interview with the OC Register’s Dan Wood. “I have to ask them both that. I probably will pretty quickly, probably by this weekend. My guess would be that they’re probably not. If that were their intent, I think I would have heard by now.”

That question should have been asked much earlier. Don’t get me wrong, they have earned time to make their decisions, but would giving an answer by mid-July or early-August be too much to ask?

According to TSN.ca, Niedermayer had the following to say:

“I’m in a different spot, no question about it. But again, I’m just trying to make the right decision. I know it’s unfortunate that people are waiting to see what the decision is – it’s not fun, but that’s the way it is right now.”

So he’s trying to suggest that he has not yet made a decision?

If in fact that is the case, his decision is made. He does not want to leave the NHL.

But, like Burke, I tend to believe that both players are just delaying the inevitable: announcing retirement.

Selanne, meanwhile, is keeping quiet.

Nothing like a last minute decision.

I’m a huge fan of both of these players, and was thrilled to see Selanne regain his form of old with the Ducks and to see Niedermayer win the Cup with his brother Rob.

But at what point will this end?

Do these players not realize that, by failing to give a decision, they have tampered with the team’s summer plans?

Sure, defenseman Mathieu Schneider was brought in as an insurance policy in case Niedermayer retires, and forward Todd Bertuzzi was brought in to lessen the effects of losing Selanne.

Neither of the reinforcements, however, lives up to the standards of the potentially-retiring players.

And if Niedermayer (who remains under contract) does retire, the Ducks will have $6.75 million of cap space to work with – or $6.75 million of cap space that could have been used on another legitimate free agent replacement.

There’s also this: If both decide to return, there may not be room under the salary cap.

According to NHL Numbers, the Ducks will have $1.376 million of cap space available if Niedermayer returns.

Since Selanne is an unrestricted free agent, his salary is not included. Will he be willing to play for a measly $1.376 million? It seems unlikely, seeing that he made $3.75 million last year.

Then again, the “Finnish Flash” loves Anaheim and has won the Stanley Cup, which he so desperately wanted. Maybe he would be willing to play for less?

Regardless, the Ducks are in a tight situation that has been presented by the selfishness of two of the NHL’s great players.

The decision to retire surely is a tough one, but the task of running a hockey team also is tough, and Niedermayer and Selanne certainly aren’t making it any easier.

It’s time for these two veterans to make decisions, to let the hockey world know where they stand.

It’s time to move on or move out.