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Symmetry in Lupul/Pronger trade
by Karen Francis
Hockeytalk.biz

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1 year deal for Scott Niedermayer

JULY 1, 2009 -- ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has agreed to terms with defenseman Scott Niedermayer on a one-year contract. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

“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 (8/31/73), played in all 82 games last season, collecting 14-45=59 points with 70 penalty minutes (PIM). He concluded the regular season ranked third among NHL defensemen in points and assists, and was third overall in total time-on-ice (2,182:29 TOI) and avg. TOI (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.

“I'm excited to continue my career with the Ducks,” said Niedermayer. “I still enjoy the game and feel the opportunity to win is right here in Anaheim.”

Signed as a free agent on Aug. 4, 2005, Niedermayer helped lead Anaheim to its first Stanley Cup championship in 2007, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the 2007 playoffs. In 291 career NHL games with the Ducks, Niedermayer has collected 50-166=216 points with a +4 rating and 268 PIM. He has been named to the NHL Western Conference All-Star Team in the last three consecutive seasons and was honored as a First Team NHL All-Star in 2006 and 2007.

A native of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Niedermayer has won four Stanley Cup championships since making his NHL debut with the New Jersey Devils during the 1991-92 season. 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 was named a Norris Trophy finalist for three straight seasons, winning the award in 2004. He has been named to a conference All-Star Team six times during his NHL career (1998, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009) and produced 12 overtime goals, the most all-time by an NHL defenseman.

Originally selected by New Jersey in the first round (third overall) of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, Niedermayer has split his 18-season NHL career with the Devils (1991-2004) and Ducks (2005-09). In 1,101 career NHL games, Niedermayer has recorded 162-530=692 points with a +176 rating and 746 PIM.

 

JUNE 26, 2009 -- Three years ago the Ducks fell to the Edmonton Oilers in the 2006 Western Conference Finals. At the end of the season, the Ducks made a critical trade that helped them win the Stanley Cup the following year, sending sent right wing Joffrey Lupul, defensive prospect, Ladislav Smid, and two draft picks to the Oilers for defenseman Chris Pronger.

Fast forward to June 26, 2009. The Ducks trade away Pronger and his $6.25 million salary to the Philadelphia Flyers, along with prospect Ryan Dingle. Who do they get in return? Lupul, defensive prospect Luca Sbisa and two first round ('09, '10) draft picks. It can’t get any more symmetrical than that.

The Pronger trade was the biggest trade on the first day of the NHL entry draft and GM Bob Murray got great value for the former Ducks captain. After learning that Scott Niedermayer had decided to play another year for the Ducks (a new contract will be negotiated shortly), Murray was able to make room in the Ducks’ salary cap by trading Pronger.

The 34 year-old Norris Trophy winner had been the frequent target of trade rumors, most recently false speculation of a trade to the Los Angeles Kings. Therefore, he was not completely shocked to be traded. Pronger should be a good fit for the Flyers and hopefully provide part of what they are missing to take things to the next level.

The Ducks are also hoping that Lupul will help provide some of what they are missing, in terms of scoring. After struggling for a year in Edmonton, Lupul bounced back with two 20 goal seasons in Philadelphia.

Lupul, now 25, returns to the Ducks with a contract that is signed through the 2012-2013 season with a salary cap hit of $4.25 million. Fortunately for him he kept the Newport Beach home he purchased at the start of his career. While he expressed some surprise at being traded, especially back to the team that drafted him 7th overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, he was nonetheless eager to play again in Southern California.

“Hopefully I can get back to where I left off here a couple years ago,” Lupul stated in a teleconference with local media after the trade.

Sbisa, 19, made his NHL debut with the Flyers and his teammate had high praise for the Flyers 2008 first round draft pick.

“He stepped in at 18 and never looked out of place,” was Lupul’s scouting report on the Swiss defenseman. “Physical. Fast.”

The Ducks, who ended up with two first round picks, used them to choose center Peter Holland at 15th overall. The 6’2,” 185 lb. Ontario native has been described by scouts as being a smart hockey player with good hands, skates well and can be used on both the power play and penalty kill.

The Ducks obtained the 21st overall pick from the Flyers, but traded with Columbus for the 26th and 37th picks. They chose another center in Kyle Palmieri, a New Jersey native, at 26th. Palmieri was kicked off the U.S. under-18 team for reasons that have only been speculated and not confirmed. It is believed that he was part of a group of players who had girls up to their rooms, which was against the rules. On the ice he has been described as a guy with a solid work ethic, tenacity, good vision and an ability to finish.

 

See also: Official trade press release from Ducks

 

 

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