Niedermayer bros interested in Canucks: The Sports Xchange reports while most Canucks followers fretted over the future of top-line identical twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin as impending unrestricted free agents, the possibility of another talented, high-profile brother act playing in Vancouver next season has been raised by a player agent. According to their Vancouver-based agent, Rob and Scott Niedermayer might be interested in winding down their careers in their home province. "Before they signed in Anaheim (Scott joined Rob in 2005-06, right after the lockout) that was definitely a big discussion," agent Kevin Epp said. "But at that time, it was difficult because Rob was still one year away from being an unrestricted free agent, so he still had a year left in Anaheim. In Scott's case, he was unrestricted, and considered very much playing in Canada for the Canucks or Calgary or somewhere near his off-season home and staying out West. I think everyone dreams of playing near your hometown or in Canada or in British Columbia." (Updated 06/18/2009).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 7/10/09).
Fantasy Analysis
Winning a Stanley Cup together in Anaheim satisfies one of the Niedermayer's goals in playing together. As for their desire to do so in Vancouver, that may be little more than an agent bargaining, especially since Scott has indicated he'd retire or return to Anaheim. Of course, if Scott, a four-time Stanley Cup Champion who already owns a Norris and Conn Smythe Trophy, does choose to keep playing, one reason will be a chance to represent Canada at another Winter Olympics, which just happen to be taking place in Vancouver in February, 2010. "It obviously depends on the Canucks and their situation and where they're at financially, so they're going to have some decisions from their end," Epp said. Scott had 14 goals and 59 points last season in Anaheim, and the smooth skater would be a significant upgrade as a puck-moving defenseman and power-play specialist. Younger brother Rob, 34, had 14 goals and 21 points in an injury plagued season and would need to take a pay cut from the expiring four-year, $8 million contract to fit into the Canucks third or fourth lines. "Now it's about each of them doing what's best for themselves and for their families," Epp said. Scott will likely be a high-end Fantasy defenseman no matter where he plays in 2009-10, if he chooses to skate another season, but Rob still won't have much Fantasy appeal. (Updated 06/18/2009).
D Scott Neidermayer signed a one-year deal July 1, and the Ducks accomplished their offseason goals with that single transaction. "Keeping Scott Niedermayer in an Anaheim Ducks jersey was paramount for our club," 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, set to turn 36 in August, had evaluated potential retirement for a third consecutive off-season before committing to playing another season shortly before the NHL entry draft began June 26. Once Murray received that word, it was just a matter of working out the contract details -- an exercise that lasted about three hours beyond the opening of the free-agent market. 72//2009
No information available at this time.
Niedermayer bros interested in Canucks: The Sports Xchange reports while most Canucks followers fretted over the future of top-line identical twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin as impending unrestricted free agents, the possibility of another talented, high-profile brother act playing in Vancouver next season has been raised by a player agent. According to their Vancouver-based agent, Rob and Scott Niedermayer might be interested in winding down their careers in their home province. "Before they signed in Anaheim (Scott joined Rob in 2005-06, right after the lockout) that was definitely a big discussion," agent Kevin Epp said. "But at that time, it was difficult because Rob was still one year away from being an unrestricted free agent, so he still had a year left in Anaheim. In Scott's case, he was unrestricted, and considered very much playing in Canada for the Canucks or Calgary or somewhere near his off-season home and staying out West. I think everyone dreams of playing near your hometown or in Canada or in British Columbia." (Updated 06/18/2009).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 7/10/09).
Fantasy Analysis
Winning a Stanley Cup together in Anaheim satisfies one of the Niedermayer's goals in playing together. As for their desire to do so in Vancouver, that may be little more than an agent bargaining, especially since Scott has indicated he'd retire or return to Anaheim. Of course, if Scott, a four-time Stanley Cup Champion who already owns a Norris and Conn Smythe Trophy, does choose to keep playing, one reason will be a chance to represent Canada at another Winter Olympics, which just happen to be taking place in Vancouver in February, 2010. "It obviously depends on the Canucks and their situation and where they're at financially, so they're going to have some decisions from their end," Epp said. Scott had 14 goals and 59 points last season in Anaheim, and the smooth skater would be a significant upgrade as a puck-moving defenseman and power-play specialist. Younger brother Rob, 34, had 14 goals and 21 points in an injury plagued season and would need to take a pay cut from the expiring four-year, $8 million contract to fit into the Canucks third or fourth lines. "Now it's about each of them doing what's best for themselves and for their families," Epp said. Scott will likely be a high-end Fantasy defenseman no matter where he plays in 2009-10, if he chooses to skate another season, but Rob still won't have much Fantasy appeal. (Updated 06/18/2009).
As they stumbled through the regular season, the Anaheim Ducks started making the type of roster moves that could've signaled they were entering a rebuilding phase.
