Ducks To Clear Cap Space For Niedermayer

Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League

Dec 4, 11:01 PM | Hype this story!

After months of speculation, it appears that Anaheim Ducks defenseman Scott Niedermayer has made a decision to return to the NHL. But, with a large payroll, the Ducks may be forced to make an unpopular trade.

According to TSN.ca, Ducks general manager Brian Burke may be willing to part with any defenseman not named Chris Pronger. The list includes veterans Mathieu Schneider and Sean O’Donnell and workhorse Francois Beachemin.

In fact, the article mentions that Burke has “been active in trade talks this week trying to do exactly that.”

The salary cap space needed for Niedermayer’s return is actually cap space for the future, not now. Ironically, there is a strong possibility that Niedermayer may not play beyond this season. If that happens, the Ducks will have traded away a key defender for a one half year run with Niedermayer.

The article states:

“The Ducks’ committed payroll for next season is the issue. With Niedermayer potentially returning, and with another year left on his contract after this season, the Ducks could not add him to the roster now without freeing up cap room for next season. In the new CBA, it’s called ‘tagging’ room and the Ducks don’t have enough of it next season to allow Niedermayer back on the roster this season – unless they move a player who is under contract for next season.”

There is no word yet on possible destinations or returns, but one might speculate that other NHL general managers could find a bargain basement deal, since Burke could have no choice but to move a player quickly.

Comments

  1. Andrew R

    Dec 5, 12:31 AM

    Nice reporting, Matt.

    If the Ducks are shopping defensemen, they need look no further than the Pens as a team in need of a defensemen, particularly one who plays his end and the body well. Does this sound like an opportunity for Ray Shero to make a shrewd move or what?

    Maybe, maybe not.

    I am completely in support of Shero exercising patience, both in terms of not trading away developing assets and allowing himself the future cap room to retain 87, 71, 11, 19, and 29. That being said, if another GM is dealing from a position of weakness and Shero can find a deal that does not mortage the future while shoring up the present blueline, I think we would all be in agreement that he should do it.

    However, it does not seem that any of the defensemen you mentioned meet the needs of the Penguins. Of those three defensemen you mention, only O’Donnell makes any sense from the Pens’ viewpoint. He is known as a defensive defensemen with a big shot and an edge to his game. He is, however, 36. He comes cheap, however, at $1.25M. It’s not clear how much space Burke has to clear, but if it is in the $3-4M range, it would not be productive to move O’Donnell, because he simply would not clear enough room; he would have to be moved in tandem with another player.

    Beauchemin is much younger at 27, possesses a rocket from the point, and makes only slightly more at $1.65M. He is, however, another offensive defensemen, of which the Penguins have several. After the season he had last year and his salary, I find it unlikely the Ducks would send him packing anyway.

    The most likely to be dealt, in my estimation, is Schneider. He makes $5.5M this season and he makes the most sense to clear off the books. He is 38 and injury-prone, but still plays a solid offensive game. From the Pens’ perspective, he is too old, he is not the shutdown D-man the Pens desperately need, and is certainly too expensive an option.

    For those reasons, I do not forsee anything coming of Burke’s dilemma for the Penguins. As enticing as Beauchemin is, he does not fit a need. O’Donnell would also be a welcome addition, but I’m not sure he would be Burke’s first choice to be dealt. Much depends on how much cap room he has to clear.

  2. Matt Bodenschatz

    Dec 5, 08:52 AM

    I can’t get into the specifics of the money side of this, as I don’t know how much cap space needs to be cleared for next year. Remember, the Ducks have enough room for this year, but not for next year. In other words, any trade made would have to include someone on the books for next year as well. Seeing as how the cap for this year isn’t impacted, I am of the belief that they don’t need to shed that much salary for next year.

    If that is the case, then O’Donnell or Beauchemin would be perfect to deal. O’Donnell is getting old and nearing the end of his career. Beauchemin is nearing unrestricted free agency and will cost a lot to re-sign after next season — can the Ducks afford him longterm? Schneider, obviously, would be the best player to be traded but his salary/contract length, age and injury history will make him less than appealing to most teams.

    In general, I disagree with you that Beauchemin would be a bad fit with the Penguins. He’s one of the top defenders — all around — on the Ducks roster. He can play in all three zones and has a physical side as well. He may not be the prototypical defensive-defenseman the Penguins need at this point, but he’d be an improvement over Orpik, to say the least. O’Donnell would be nice, expect his age scares me. The Penguins have had major issues with aging players recently, and I think it’s due time the experiment stops.

    I find it very unlikely the Penguins will get involved in this more than a phone conversation, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

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