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Another broke and in debt Municipality, CA • United States • 45 Years Old • Male
The Boys are Back in Town
Posted 6:46 PM ET | Comments 5
Taking a line from Thin Lizzy, The Boys are Back in Town. A timeless classic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FmPhJkdTwU
Like most teams, the Ducks are making their way back to their home cities and Anaheim is buzzing. Seeing the boys around the local rinks is a reminder that we are ready to open camp and kick the new season off. Both Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne landed back in SoCal the last few days and to me, that is excellent news. Why come back if you have no intention of playing again? Or better yet, why come back the week before camp opens? The press conference yesterday was "interesting" and my respect for Niedermayer has not changed. Something is obviously afoot, or askate, or astick. Anyways, I think he is just plain tired. You can see it. He wants a little longer break. Everyone comments on his young age. He has been in the NHL for 16 long, playoff filled, seasons and then spent at least 4 years playing long junior seasons too. Cut him some slack. The guy wants to learn his own kids name for a change, find out what they like to do, and then maybe grab a little couch time. Same thing with Teemu. I understand and respect the argument that their lack of decision is a distraction and really tough on the Ducks and the coaching staff. That is a valid point and if I am a coach or a GM, I would be going nuts. I think maybe more importantly is the 12-14 depth forward or the 6-8 depth defenseman. Those guys that are "on the bubble" for a full time position are really the guys that will feel the most anxiety and animosity. They are clearly committed, but they may get aced out by someone who is questioning their own commitment. Those guys may feel a little negative towards Teemu and Scott and it is unfortunate. For the rest of the NHL, the Ducks, and the fans, the tell tale sign is that they are both back in town and that is positive.
A couple of side notes, the Ducks capped season tickets last month and finding a ticket this season will be a real challenge. They also announced that all 82 games will be televised on one channel or another. Only a few games scheduled on Versus, so I won't have to worry about The Preakness taking over the tail end of a Ducks game or a re-run of Babe Winkleman's Outdoor Fishing knocking the Ducks off. The team reported that Sammy Pahlsson had surgery for a sports hernia within the last couple of days. The guy is an ironman and I believe he currently holds a consecutive games played record for the Ducks. He has played something like 350 straight games for the Ducks. We wish Sammy a quick recovery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FmPhJkdTwU
Like most teams, the Ducks are making their way back to their home cities and Anaheim is buzzing. Seeing the boys around the local rinks is a reminder that we are ready to open camp and kick the new season off. Both Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne landed back in SoCal the last few days and to me, that is excellent news. Why come back if you have no intention of playing again? Or better yet, why come back the week before camp opens? The press conference yesterday was "interesting" and my respect for Niedermayer has not changed. Something is obviously afoot, or askate, or astick. Anyways, I think he is just plain tired. You can see it. He wants a little longer break. Everyone comments on his young age. He has been in the NHL for 16 long, playoff filled, seasons and then spent at least 4 years playing long junior seasons too. Cut him some slack. The guy wants to learn his own kids name for a change, find out what they like to do, and then maybe grab a little couch time. Same thing with Teemu. I understand and respect the argument that their lack of decision is a distraction and really tough on the Ducks and the coaching staff. That is a valid point and if I am a coach or a GM, I would be going nuts. I think maybe more importantly is the 12-14 depth forward or the 6-8 depth defenseman. Those guys that are "on the bubble" for a full time position are really the guys that will feel the most anxiety and animosity. They are clearly committed, but they may get aced out by someone who is questioning their own commitment. Those guys may feel a little negative towards Teemu and Scott and it is unfortunate. For the rest of the NHL, the Ducks, and the fans, the tell tale sign is that they are both back in town and that is positive.
A couple of side notes, the Ducks capped season tickets last month and finding a ticket this season will be a real challenge. They also announced that all 82 games will be televised on one channel or another. Only a few games scheduled on Versus, so I won't have to worry about The Preakness taking over the tail end of a Ducks game or a re-run of Babe Winkleman's Outdoor Fishing knocking the Ducks off. The team reported that Sammy Pahlsson had surgery for a sports hernia within the last couple of days. The guy is an ironman and I believe he currently holds a consecutive games played record for the Ducks. He has played something like 350 straight games for the Ducks. We wish Sammy a quick recovery.
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07 The Boys are Back in Town
14 I Got My Fix Tonight - The NHL Has Started ! ! !
22 The NHL Snubs British Hockey - Reply
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22 The NHL Snubs British Hockey - Reply
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07 Why the NHL and Hockey will Always be a Fringe Sport
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17 Changing My Name to steal_your_faceoff or Else
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07 Why the NHL and Hockey will Always be a Fringe Sport
14 Welcome to Anaheim Mrs. Boogaard
17 Changing My Name to steal_your_faceoff or Else
22 When Your Star Players Loaf....
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21 Lecavalier and the All Star Ballot - What is the Deal?
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13 Tired of the old Dump and Chase - Ducks
13 Time for Some Ducks to Score and Top #1 Lines in the NHL
20 Need Tickets to Leafs-Lightening Game on Jan 1 in Toronto
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Is that Mike Commodore's relative singing lead for Thin Lizzy?
It's very easy for those on the outside to jump on the apparent indecisions of Selanne and Niedermayer, so you make a good case for them. I say "apparent" because I certainly don't know what's really been said behind closed doors and that's the same for just about everyone criticizing them. And as far as management and the coaching staff, while I'm not in your media market, I haven't heard them complaining publicly. Has the coach or the GM done so? Congrats on your ticket sales achievement. It sends a positive message to other teams in non-traditional markets that it is possible to succeed in a big way. Commitment, hard work, the right attitude, patience, and a real plan (all coupled with a little luck) will do wonders.
blue line - Ducks management has been 100% supportive of both players. They said early on they would give them as much time as they needed, and they are steadfastly sticking to that.I also have no problem with what either Scott or Teemu are doing. While I would love to have those guys on the ice from day 1, I'll take what I can get when, and if, they decide to play again. From what I'm hearing, it sounds like we're going to have wait a couple months to see what they decide.
Thanks for the info RC. I kind of figured as much. No matter what the detractors say, it's a huge plus for Anaheim to have the potential luxury of those two returning at some point should they decide to do so.
While I have no clue what Teemu is going to decide, I think Niedermayer is leaning toward coming back. I think it is a matter of when he comes back instead of if. I am basing this on tidbits that have leaked out in various news stories, such as his chances of coming back are better than him making the London trip and the OC Register reporting that the Ducks are investigating salary cap ramifications if he comes back.