Ducks Re-Sign Teemu Selanne to One-Year Deal

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have re-signed right wing Teemu Selanne to a one-year contract worth $3.25 million. He had spent part of the off-season mulling retirement, but opted to come back for at least one more season. In 54 games last season with the Ducks, Selanne had 27 goals and 21 assists for 48 points. He missed 17 games in December and January with a left hand injury and eight games in January and February with a broken jaw. In 1186 career NHL games with the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Colorado Avalanche, Selanne has 606 goals and 654 assists for 1260 points. He won the Stanley Cup in 2007 with Anaheim, the Calder Trophy in 1993 as the league's top rookie, the Rocket Richard Trophy in 1999 as the league's goals leader, and the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2006 for perseverance and dedication to hockey. This is an excellent signing for the Ducks, as Selanne is still an exceptionally skilled forward. He has lots of speed, great hands, is an excellent skater, and has lots of offensive skill. He will continue to play a top-six role with the team next season, and will also likely serve as a mentor for some of the younger players.

Ducks Re-sign Selanne to Two-Year Deal

The Anaheim Ducks announced on Sunday that they have resigned forward Teemu Selanne to a two-year contract worth $5.25 million. Selanne scored 12 goals and added 11 assists for 23 points in only 26 games for Anaheim after spending much of the 2007-08 season contemplating retirement. In 1067 games, Selanne has 552 goals and 606 assists for 1,158 points with the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Colorado Avalanche. Selanne won his first Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007. The signing comes only two days after the Ducks traded Mathieu Schneider to the Atlanta Thrashers. Selanne's salary puts the Ducks back over the salary cap by $1.225 million. The team will likely have to trade another player in order to get back below the salary cap, with Bobby Ryan being mentioned in trade rumors as of late. The Ducks could also demote a player to the minors to get back below the cap and not have to worry about trading another player, especially of Ryan's caliber. Selanne's signing is an excellent one for the Ducks, as he gives the team lots of offensive depth and talent, goal-scoring skills, and plenty of leadership.

Thrashers Acquire Schneider from Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks have finally shed themselves of Mathieu Schneider's contract and dropped below the salary cap. On Friday, the Ducks traded Schneider to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for defenseman Ken Klee and left wings Brad Larsen and Chad Painchaud. Schneider had become expendable to the Ducks over the last month, as the team wanted to trim salary in order to resign Teemu Selanne. Schneider was placed on waivers last week after the Ducks found no takers via trade. After clearing waivers, the Ducks were able to find a trade partner in the Thrashers. Ever since Schneider went on the trade block, the Los Angeles Kings were rumored to be interested in him. The St. Louis Blues also popped up in recent days as the rumored destination for the blueline after the injury to Erik Johnson. In 65 games last season with the Ducks, Schneider scored 12 goals and added 27 assists for 39 points. Klee scored one goal and added nine assists for 10 points in 72 games with the Thrashers, while Larsen scored one goal and added three assists for four points in 62 games with the Thrashers. Painchaud has no NHL experience thus far. The addition of Schneider is a good one for the Thrashers, as they were in need of an offensive defenseman and veteran experience. Klee gives the Ducks a solid, defensive blueline, while Larsen gives the team another physical forward. With the departure of Schneider, the Ducks are now below the salary cap. The addition of Klee, Larsen, and Painchaud's salaries equal $2.5 million. With $2.5-3 million to spare, the Ducks may have to make another trade to comfortably fit Selanne into their salary.