Teemu Selanne Returns

The Anaheim Ducks are thrilled to have Selanne back as was announced yesterday and predicted by in a previous article here on NHL Digest.   The Ducks signed Selanne to a one-year contract for which the financial terms were not disclosed.  Selanne scored 48 goals last season and was an integral part of the Stanley Cup championship run.

I guess it just wouldn’t be dramatic enough for “Hollywood” to have two of their star veteran players contemplate retirement after winning the Stanley Cup just to have them come back at the beginning of the next season. No, that just wouldn’t carry enough anticipation or controversy to gain any momentum in the media.

Even though Selanne was previously quoted as saying he was happy to get the time off to spend with his boys and newborn, he  handled the press conference like the crafty veteran he is:

“I’m very happy and excited to be back,” Selanne said. “I’m very happy that things worked out with Brian Burke and the Samuelis. It’s awesome that they gave me the chance to come in this late. Obviously, there are great teammates and great fans here. It’s awesome to part of it again.

The first practice back with the teammates was very exciting. It was a pretty hard practice. I almost forgot how tough it is. I really feel this is a good time to come back and go on the road with my teammates. I think that gives a little more privacy and the ability to get together with new teammates and get back into action. I don’t know when I’m going to be ready to play.

As much as it seems orchestrated that Niedermayer returned just in time to somehow manage to be named to the All-Star team and that Selanne magically came to a decision after taking half of the season off – I just don’t think that is Brian Burke’s style.

And, of course Burke is ecstatic to have Selanne back:

“It took Teemu several months to determine if he had the passion and determination to return to the NHL, and we are thrilled to have him back,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke. “This is a player who scored 48 goals last year and showed no signs of slowing down.”

It will be interesting to see how the Ducks come together down the stretch, having the added scoring touch of the Finnish Flash!  That is assuming he can return to the form that netted him 94 points last season, garnered him 76 Goals in his rookie campaign and won him the Rocket Richard trophy in 1998-99.