Scott Niedermayer Leaning Towards Retirement

[VodkaFish]

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Anaheim Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke released the following statement this afternoon regarding the Scott Niedermayer situation and signing of Mathieu Schneider:

“Scott Niedermayer has informed me that he is leaning toward retirement,” said Burke. “Typical of his character and leadership, he made the call this morning in order to allow us to make alternative plans in the event he does not return. Although he has not retired and would be welcomed back, we felt adding another top NHL defenseman was critical to defending our championship. Mathieu Schneider fits into that category and will be a great addition to our team.”

[bengino]

so this actually completely fills the question as to why bring an aging veteran in Schneider.. but still, i'd rather have Niedermayer on my blueline then Schneider

[R.Middleton]

Originally Posted by bengino

so this actually completely fills the question as to why bring an aging veteran in Schneider.. but still, i'd rather have Niedermayer on my blueline then Schneider

Same here, I wish him the best.

[mr_athlete2002]

burke cant sit around and wait for neidermayer to make up his mind. he had to sign someone before all the good free agents are gone.

[McDonald19]

Originally Posted by bengino

so this actually completely fills the question as to why bring an aging veteran in Schneider.. but still, i'd rather have Niedermayer on my blueline then Schneider

Schneider is a poor man's Niedermayer. Good thing is that it is only a 2-year deal and that he is on the same conditioning program as Chelios.

I'm a little surprised that Burke didn't go after Stuart or Hannan.

[DaveBrown69]

Originally Posted by WildyCoyote34

Same here, I wish him the best.

Yeah either way I wish him the best too.

[BrianTheAdsFan]

Good job Scott...enjoy retirement.

[BGDDYKWL]

Looks like he's done.

Look for Niedermayer to officially retire in the very near future.

His brother Rob was married Saturday in Victoria, BC, in front of several current and past teammates, including two of the best guys I’ve ever covered, Ray Whitney and Len Barrie.

I’ve been told Scott Niedermayer delayed his announcement so Rob wouldn’t have to deal with questions leading up to his wedding.

More....

[Colt Seavers]

I have always been a Nieder fan, and I always enjoyed watching him play. As a fan, I'll miss him. On the flip-side, I understand his perspective, and what else does he need to achieve? Burke probably knew ahead of time in some way-hence he restocked the ranks!

[Isles4life]

It definitely came as a surprise when this first was being discussed, but he's had a tremendous career, he's just accomplished so much before other guys ever get the opportunity to. The Ducks definitely can't be thrilled with his decision if he does hang them up. Schneider, even if he plays at his best, does not come even close to replacing a Scott Niedermayer. No one does really.

[Colt Seavers]

Defenceman Scott Niedermayer hasn't made his mind up on retirement just yet, and may wait until September to make a final decision.

Niedermayer's agent, Kevin Epp told CKNW in Vancouver Tuesday that his All-Star client is still mulling things over.

"I think a decision will be made more near the end of the summer, before training camp begins in Anaheim," he told the radio station. "I think he still has a lot of things to do here and a lot of things to think about. I think he's going to wait until then, and he'll make a decision before the NHL season begins."

Niedermayer, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after leading the Ducks to the Stanley Cup title last month, has two more years at US$6.75 million per season.
The Ducks took the first step in preparing for Niedermayer's possible departure, signing unrestricted free agent Mathieu Schneider to an $11.25-million, two-year deal.

Niedermayer turns 34 on Aug. 31 and began his NHL career at age 19. He's the only player in hockey history to have won the six championships any Canadian-born player cares about: Stanley Cup, Memorial Cup, world junior gold, men's world gold, Olympic gold, and a World Cup of Hockey title.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=213841&hubname=nhl

[DaveBrown69]

He should get as much time as he wants within reason. Don't wait too long!