2015 NHL Draft
SHARE
Share with your Friends


Ducks re-sign Niedermayer to one-year deal

Wednesday, 07.01.2009 / 7:25 PM / 2009 NHL Offseason News

By John Kreiser - NHL.com Columnist

The Anaheim Ducks have re-signed defenseman Scott Niedermayer, who told the team just last Friday that he intended to play in 2009-10. TSN is reporting the Anaheim captain has agreed to a one-year deal with $6 million, plus bonuses.

"Keeping Scott Niedermayer in an Anaheim Ducks jersey was paramount for our club," Ducks Executive Vice President and General Manager Bob Murray said. "We're extremely pleased he's chosen to remain with us and look forward to another great season from a Hall of Fame-bound player."

Niedermayer, 35 and a four-time Stanley Cup winner, reportedly had been undecided on whether to continue playing next season, but he told Murray last Friday at the draft that he would return to the NHL next season. Murray said he intended to move quickly to work out a deal.
"Once the decision was made to come back, it really wasn't a difficult one to come back to Anaheim," Niedermayer said during a conference call from his offseason home in British Columbia. "We've enjoyed it there. The family is very comfortable there after being there for four years. I have good friends on the team. I feel excited just to be part of the club I feel we can be competitive and get ourselves into the playoffs again and see what happens.

"As far as the decision to come back and play again, I just had to take some time," he added. "The year is long and when it’s over, you need to catch your breath and rest a little bit. After that went on for a while, I started to think ‘Do I want to continue to play or is this it?’ I think the last few years having made that decision, I’ve probably enjoyed playing more than I ever have, just realizing it doesn’t go on forever. In some ways, you maybe take little things for granted before. Now I'm in a situation where maybe I understand a little better just how lucky and fortunate we are to compete in the NHL. I’ve enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to another fun year."

Niedermayer had 14 goals and 59 points for the Ducks in 2008-09, the final season of his four-year deal. He was third among NHL defensemen in points and assists, and also finished third in average ice time at 26:56.

After the Ducks' Stanley Cup win in 2007, Niedermayer also contemplated retirement and did not play for the team until Dec. 16. He played full-time this past season.

The urgency to have Niedermayer return was increased when Anaheim traded All-Star defenseman Chris Pronger to Philadelphia on Friday night for forward Joffrey Lupul, Swiss defenseman Luca Sbisa and two first-round draft picks.

Niedermayer said he thinks the new additions will fit right in.

"I've been around the game long enough and you know there are changes every year," he said. "There are always new challenges as a team going into each season. I’m excited. I believe we have a lot of talent on our team.

"Obviously, Chris is a great player. Losing him is not something you want to see happen. But you make the trade, you get a guy like Lupul back, who can add some scoring up front for us. It just changes the look of the team a bit. I’m very exciting and comfortable with our team."

Niedermayer was drafted No. 3 in the 1991 Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils. He played 13 years and won three Cups with the Devils' organization before joining the Ducks for the past four seasons -- winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in Anaheim's 2007 Cup victory.

For his career, Niedermayer has scored 162 goals and 692 points in 1,183 regular-season games. He is the only player in hockey history to have won a Stanley Cup, Olympic gold medal, World Championship, World Cup, Memorial Cup and World Junior title.

Niedermayer said his return will have no effect on what his brother Rob does. The two have played with the Ducks for the past four seasons.

"It has to work for him, the team and for myself to make it work," Scott said. "We'll see how it plays out. It’s not a necessity, but if he is back, I would love it. We’ll just wait and see on that."

NHL.TV™

NHL GameCenter LIVE™ is now NHL.TV™.
Watch out-of-market games and replays with an all new redesigned media player, mobile and connected device apps.

LEARN MORE

NHL Mobile App

Introducing the new official NHL App, available for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones and tablets. A host of new features and improved functionality are available across all platforms, including a redesigned league-wide scoreboard, expanded news coverage, searchable video highlights, individual team experiences* and more. The new NHL App on your tablet also introduces new offerings such as 60fps video, Multitasking** and Picture-in-Picture.

*Available only for smartphones
** Available only for suported iPads