Ducks confirm Scott Niedermayer deal

Update: The paperwork is done, and Scott Niedermayer's one-year deal to stay with the Ducks for $6 million plus bonuses is official.

Niedermayer told Canada's TSN that "there wasn't a lot" of consideration on his part about playing anywhere else next season because he didn't want to disrupt his family. "The kids are getting older and we're fairly comfortable where we are," he said. "We've enjoyed it there. The team's been good to us."

Some excerpts from the Ducks' press release:

"Keeping Scott Niedermayer in an Anaheim Ducks jersey was paramount for our club,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. “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, played in all 82 games last season and had 14-45=59 points with 70 penalty minutes.  He was third among NHL defensemen in points and assists and was third overall in total time on ice (2,182:29 TOI) and average time on ice, 26:56. He became Anaheim’s leading all-time scorer among defensemen in his fourth season with the Ducks last year, recording his 171st point as a Duck (assist) on Dec. 3 at Chicago (now has 216 points as a Duck). In 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games, Niedermayer earned 3-7=10 points with 11 PIM, finishing tied for third among team leaders in scoring.

Scott Niedermayer, Ducks agree on one-year deal

Defenseman Scott Niedermayer has agreed to a one-year contract that will keep him with the Ducks next season for $6 million plus bonuses. The paperwork hasn't all gone through yet, but it will get done soon.

That takes him out of the free-agent speculation, thankfully. More later when the Ducks make it official and set up a conference call with Niedermayer. 

Some quick thoughts on the free-agent market on Day 1:

Marian Hossa's 12-year deal with Chicago is insane. The Blackhawks wanted to keep the cap hit down -- it will be about $5 million per season -- but Hossa is 30. He won't be worth anywhere near that money five years from now, and the Blackhawks will be saddled with a huge, space-eating obligation. The ultimate short-sighted move.

Good for the Sedin twins that they were able to stay together in Vancouver for five years each at $6.1 million each. But the Canucks will feel the loss of defenseman Mattias Ohlund, who left for Tampa Bay to become the mentor to second overall draft pick Victor Hedman.

And the Kings still haven't done anything....

-- Helene Elliott

Photo: Scott Niedermayer. Photo credit: David Zalubowski / Associated Press.

Ducks and Scott Niedermayer still talking

The Ducks are still negotiating with defenseman Scott Niedermayer in hopes of re-signing him before he can become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday at 9 a.m. Pacific Time, and a club spokesman said the talks were "progressing."

Niedermayer told the Ducks last week that he intends to play one more season -- and would play for them, quashing speculation that he might move elsewhere. And even if he doesn't have a deal done before the NHL's free agency period begins, he's still likely to stay in Anaheim. But the Ducks would like to have him under contract before then so there's no way he can get away.

We'll update as needed. Ducks General Manager Bob Murray and his Kings counterpart, Dean Lombardi, were conferring with their top executives Tuesday as the free agent period drew closer.

-- Helene Elliott

Photo: Scott Niedermayer. Photo credit: Kyle Terada / US Presswire.

Chris Pronger to Flyers; Scott Niedermayer to return to Ducks

 

Scott Niedermayer has told the Ducks that he intends to play again next season, and that led the Ducks to trade Chris Pronger to the Philadelphia Flyers in order to clear salary cap space for Niedermayer.

In return for Pronger, the Ducks will get Joffrey Lupul — who began his career with the Ducks — two first-round draft picks, a prospect and another conditional pick.

Niedermayer must still agree to a new contract, and if he hasn’t come to terms with the Ducks by July 1 he could test the free agent market. However, LAT's Helene Elliott reports that it’s likely he will remain in Anaheim.

-- Debbie Goffa

Photo: Chris Pronger, left, and Scott Niedermayer celebrate a goal in the second period of the Ducks' Western Conference playoff game against the San Jose Sharks. Credit: Paul Buck / EPA

Wake-up Call: Dustin Brown, Trevor Hoffman, Rey Maualuga, LeBron James, Reggie Bush

First things first: Kings Dustin Brown has been selected to play for the Western Conference All-Star squad at the 2009 NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 25 in Montreal. It will be Brown's first All-Star appearance. The Ducks, of course, have three players who were selected as starters: Ryan Getzlaf, Scott Niedermayer and Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

In case you missed it, Bill Shaikin last night reported that the Dodgers have offered closer Trevor Hoffman a one-year deal. Should the deal go through, it will be strange rooting for Hoffman after all his years with the San Diego Padres and his ability more often than not to shut down the Dodger hitters. But then, before Manny Ramirez, it seemed as though there were many pitchers who could shut down Dodger hitters.

He's sorry: Well, well, well. Rey Maualuga apologizes. Save that headline. It will come in handy again. The linebacker supposedly told ABC sideline reporter Erin Andrews he is sorry for what he did at the end of the Rose Bowl game. Or so says the university.

He's crabby: Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James is still upset over that "crab dribble" on Sunday and now says he will keep using it. He was whistled for traveling in the closing seconds of Cleveland's 80-77 loss at Washington, but James says the "crab dribble" is legal and called on the NBA to reexamine it. "They need to understand that's not a travel," James said.

They're dreaming: The Dallas Morning News put together a compilation of the best Dallas Cowboys photos of this season. Now, really. These are great photos, but do they show the frustration, the total failure that the season was? You be the judge. You know it is an interesting season when one of the first pictures up is of the cheerleaders. But I like this photo package a little more to sum up their season.

Add NFL: The New Orleans Saints said today that running back Reggie Bush (remember him?) did indeed undergo microfracture surgery on his left knee, and will require months of rehabilitation. However, the Saints are sure he will be ready for minicamp in June. Meanwhile, ex-UCLA Bruin Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jacksonville Jaguars was on the Dan Patrick show this morning and made his picks for the next playoff games: Titans and Steelers. Listen in.

Add NFL 1: SI.com's Peter King names his All-Pro team and Don Banks does the opposite, what he calls the All-Disappointment team. Wouldn't a better name be the All-Poor team?

-- Debbie Goffa

Scott Niedermayer is named Ducks captain

The Ducks said today that Scott Niedermayer would serve as team captain this season.

Niedermayer was team captain for two seasons but when he took took his months-long sabbatical at the start of last season, fellow defenseman Chris Pronger was given the title.

"It's obviously a different situation with what's gone on here the last 12 months," Niedermayer said. "It's an honor to be in that situation, but it's not necessarily something I was expecting."

Pronger and Ryan Getzlaf were named assistant captains.

"I knew it was coming," Pronger said. "I think it's a natural progression. Last year, it was kind of dumped in my court because Scotty wasn't around."

More details later today in Ducks FYI on latimes.com.

-- Dan Arritt