1) We were originally told an announcement will be forth coming early this afternoon in Anaheim concerning on again, off again retiring Scott Niedermayer. As some of our regular readers may recall, we have been vocal in our chastisement of the future Hall of Fame defender for dragging his feet(skates) in making this decision. http://newfaux.blogspot.com/2007/07/penner-offer-sheet-to-force-niedermayer.html#links However it appears that Scott even at this late date has NOT Yet decided!!
2) While some thought he deserved time to make a decision, we felt that after a few weeks off he was obligated to let his employers know what direction he was going to take and not leave them hanging. In a 'salary cap NHL' a player who is owed another 13.5 million for 2 seasons needs to make clear his intentions as soon as possible. Here we are into September, with training camp a mere week away and we are still in the dark as to what Scott will decide to do. We find that absurd! While we're sure Brian Burke won't be saying anything derogatory about his (former-?)captain in public, privately we're sure he can't be too happy with the prolonged uncertainty.
3) We are told that Teemu Selanne is also soon to announce his intentions for the upcoming year. Like Niedermayer, it would have been the right thing to do to make this announcement sooner, but unlike Scott, he is not under contract. Our sources tell FAUXRUMORS that Teemu is NOT in any kind of game shape at the moment which may mean he's either going to announce retirement, or possibly leave open a late fall/early winter return.(That should heat up the rumor mill of his intended destination!) We're told the Ducks would entertain a mid season return from the Finnish Flash if they are given assurances of his intentions now.
4) Like Selanne, one possibility floating around the Niedermayer camp is an early/mid season return. To that we say, "What the hell for"??? Its not like Niedermayer is coming off a major injury or is dealing with a significant family/personal situation that requires his time. So whats his problem? We always knew he was somewhat of a flake(http://blog.peta.org/archives/2007/08/scott_niedermay_1.php) but to do that to his teammates and organization that invested a boat load of cash shows a lack of respect and selfishness we can not ignore. On-ice accomplishments aside, that would be a bush league maneuver. One that until now was relegated to the likes of Roger Clemens. Shit or get off the pot Scott!
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23 comments:
Yay! A hockey blog! I just found you by "next blog" and I must say, I am delighted!
1) Must be kismat Zoot. ; ) Glad we could entertain ya. Feel free to leave your opinion and come back often.
Wow, an actual real live reader there. Wow, IM stunned Zootenany!
After reading all the comments you wrote for yourself under the Aliases 'StaceySchnall', 'PoliceSquad', 'I Speak you the Truth' and 'Jintzie' I was surprise to see anyone real still kickin around.
Thought the pile of lies would have scared real readers away by now!
NOw as for hockey-
If the Ducks are fine letting Nieds hold out, then let him hold out. I know early in the summer it would have been looked down upon if the Ducks had pushed Nieds for a decision, but now that camp is about to open fans and such could hardly blame them. That said, if they are willing to wait, then why should Nieds decide? He only owes them a decision when they ask him to make one.
No a dilemma for you faux. A hockey post! You said you wouldn't delete hockey posts!
1) Niedermayer is NOT holding out. We believe the last true hold out was Alexei Yashin in the 1999-2000 season when he had a year left on a contract yet held out for an entire year only to have a judge rule/force him to play that final year
2) Here we have another example of player selfishness. Not for more money , but an example of self centeredness none the less. If he was a true leader/captain he'd have decided long ago. We can't imagine Stevie Y, or Joe Sakic holding his team in limbo like this!
I meant 'hold out' in terms of holding out on making a decision, but nice twist and spin there.
And he only doing what the Ducks are allowing him to do. All it would take is for Burkie to step up and say publicly that the Ducks want a decision by such and such a date.
At this point all would back him regardless of Nieds future HOF status!
1) Burke/The Ducks can jump up and down, scream for a decision by a certain date, etc. That would have only a negative impact on the situation, and wouldn't force Niedermayer to come back if he didn't want to
2) By going public it would make it near impossible for Scott to ever return. Thus this is Burke's dilemma, and the reason we are told why they have been so 'gracious'. Its a lose-lose situation for their organization
3) If we were Burke, we would have privately given Scott a date LONG ago, and said that after that date we'd entertain trade offers. We'd bet Scott would decide VERY fast if he wanted to play or not!
Faux we'd be happy to take Nieds off the ducks hands. since we gave them pronger for nothing, it would be fair.
By the way, since i saw my old stolen blog on here a few times i've been hesitant to write. so you say its safe now? my post will probably only provoke the poor sap, but i couldn't stay silent any longer
You guys keep up the great work. this is one of my favourite hockey blogs
I think it's safe to say we all probably agree on 2 things...
1- Burke wants Niedermayer to play this year for the Ducks.
2- Niedermayer is still undecided about playing.
Is it 'selfish' as Faux and many others have said? Of course it is. By definition it has to be because it's a decision made with the ultimate goal of being as happy and content as possible. But the real question is... Is it excessively selfish? Is he unfairly disregarding the needs of his employer and his teammates? It's not so clear cut an answer. Remember, a professional athelete has sacrificed much from an early age to achieve a role that billions wish for but few ever attain. To play at such a high level and call it quits at the pinnicle of your career can't be an easy thing to do. My impression is that Nieds wants to see what it will be like to not be playing during the time of year when he's normally on the ice with his teammates. That he can't make a decision until he can see what that decision really means. And you can't do that when the grass is green and leaves are still on the trees north of the border.
As for Burke, his silence is what he thinks increases the chance of Nieds returning. I don't think a deadline makes it 'near impossible' for Nieds to return. I just think that if Burke gets Nieds back, he doesn't want to have to pay 6.5 million to a conflicted player who's heart is not in it because he wonders what it would've been like to be home with his kids when the leaves were falling.
1) As always Sauce we respect your take on things, but we can't get over the self centered aspect of this. Sure, its not an easy decision and some regret their choices, but part of being an adult is to make choices and to live with them. Be a man Scott!
2) The team will have this hanging over their heads until its resolved. Imagine if they should stumble out of the gate, the media will be asking the current players what they are hearing, and what if/when will Scott return, etc? It will be a huge distraction. To say nothing of the uncertain financial/cap space aspect of this.
Niedermayer is behaving both selfishly AND annoying... However, how could ANY of you disagree with Hawk - Anaheim is allowing it, they want him to play this season, and he isn't breaking any rules... Sure, the Ducks and their fans may be getting frustrated, but Scott holds all the cards and he knows he can decide whenever he wants... I have my own personal feelings regarding Niedermayer, but they shouldn't trump reason...
1) Antz: Yes Hawk/Shuck, hockeynutz, etc and you are correct that the Ducks are allowing this to go on. They really have little choice. Its a no win situation for them
2) Feel free and let us know how you feel about Niedermayer. We don't hold back any punches. LOL
3) Yes Co-pilot, we can understand as a Kings fan that you wouldn't mind a bad thing or two to happen to the Ducks, but even without Scott they are still better than your team! You guys need a goalie
Please don't delete this, I just came from a blog that keeps talking about you, and from what I see posts here often.
The hockeynutz blog. I busted them today for writing a post without giving credit for the people who really did all the work. He later had to comply to give them deserved credit. Then he said he knew the guy who wrote the blog he used. Which was a complete lie because the guy and I are best buddys!! LOL
He keeps deleting my attmept to let his readers know that he's a complete fraud! I figured you guys would find this interesting.
1) Blaine: In the future try to keep your posts topical. As for the information you uncovered, its not surprising. He's been shown to be a fraud/cheat time and time again by and others since last year.
2) No doubt that's why he keeps trying to post under Pseudonyms like Shuck a luck and Hawk. Well done in uncovering(yet another) case of that site's sleazy practices.
3) Now, lets hopefully get back to hockey!
To you faux, I think you best rethink your thougts on the Kings. We got some good guys coming in here to go with the pretty good young guys we had already. The guys we have to play net will surprise ya. We're gonna be OK.
To you Hawk or whatever your freekin name is. You can kiss my ass! It was bad enough you went and stole away my last blog, now you have the balls to use it here. You are the lowest kind of low life there is! and you probably aint got no life anyhow!
1) Pilot: Firstly we're not saying your team (LA) isn't any good. We're not yet ready to publish our preseason predictions, but you can know we don't see them as a cellar dweller this season
2) However, they are still not in the same class as the Cup champs. As for your other concern. Please don't goad the moron further. We understand your frustration in seeing your old blog used for his sick enjoyment, but our take is to ignore and erase the annoyances. It could be worse for ya Pilot, you could be him! LOL
Just breaking up Hawk's roll here - someone had to do it... LOL
1) We intentionally left his repeating drivel out there for a bit to show anyone who wasn't yet sure what kind of moron we are dealing with here
2) Can you imagine what kind of life this guy must have to be home posting a repeating message on a hockey board on a Saturday night?
Holy shit the guy was here all night posting the same thing over and over? Sounds like something out of a Stephen King book. Thats one scary dude.
1) Yeah Dex. Scary, sad and pathetic all at the same time.
2) Getting back to hockey; we are working on a post discussing our take on the outdor hockey game scheduled for New Years Day. Look for it tomorrow! Have a great Sunday, and to our fellow NFL fans, enjoy the first week of pro football!
I see there aren't any dull moments here on this blog. I couldn't help but to respond to the Co-Pilot's and faux's discussion on the Kings. I agree 100% with Faux that they are decent, but flawed. Flawed in that they do not have a guy in their net who can steal a game. Cloutier is OK in spurts, but hasn't once in his career carried a team. I don't think the Kings are good enough to get by with mediocre goaltending
1) Nope, no dull moments here. the sad excuse for a man continues to repeat the same inane posts over and over.
2) As for your position we obviously agree with you Vlad. We can see the Kings being a much better team this season, but we'd be much more optimistic if they had a reliable goalie.
1) Welcome back Joe. Must have been a while, don't recall ya, but welcome back nonetheless.
2) You can be sure that this Niedermayer situation is NOT a game being played by the Ducks. Our sources looked into just that scenario and we were told that there are no shenanagans going on here
Lets all just along ok boss?
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