Teemu Selanne will not return to the NHL
Posted 11:49 AM ET | Comments 12
Things are looking up right now in Duckland. The team has won the last two games while earning 5 out of 6 points over the last three. Ryan Getzlaf is emerging as a leader, Corey Perry is becoming the sniper, Scott Niedermayer has returned from his semi-retirement and there are even rumors that Teemu Selanne is skating again in preparation for his return to the Ducks.
While most Duck fans believe that Teemu Selanne will delay his retirement and return to the Ducks for one last season; I no longer agree with them. Therefore, listed below are my top 3 reasons why I think Teemu will retire and I hope you find them insightful.
Time off - Teemu is 37 years old, and returning to the ice after a six month lay-off will be hard for him, especially getting back into game shape. Yes, he has been working out and he has done it before (he was able to do it after the lock-out), but that was two years ago and most people considered him washed up at the time.
Image - Will a comeback tarnish his image? That depends on how he plays. If Teemu is able to put up big numbers while playing in only half a season (20 goals and 20 assists) people will not question his return. If Teemu has a disappointing season, like the one he had in Colorado before the lockout, fans will say he should have stay retired.
Andy McDonald - The impact of the trade of Andy McDonald to St. Louis for Doug Weight will be felt by Teemu Selanne. In McDonald, Teemu found a player, very similar to Paul Kariya, whom he had a great deal of success with. Teemu Selanne had 88 goals and 96 assists over the past two seasons while playing with Andy McDonald.
Over all, I believe that the trade of Andy McDonald will cause Teemu Selanne to seriously question his return to the Ducks (He's not going to sign with a different team). His linemate is gone and Teemu now needs to seriously consider whether or not he will have the same chemistry with anyone else on the team. Once he realizes that he wouldn't have the chemistry he will start being concerned about his image. Teemu always wanted to go out on top and what better way is there than your last game being the one in which you hoist the Stanley Cup.
Let me know what your take on this is. Do you agree with my thoughts or do you think I'm way off based and that Teemu will return?
On a side note, Teemu has been my favorite NHLer since he joined the Ducks in 1995 and I will miss watching him play.
While most Duck fans believe that Teemu Selanne will delay his retirement and return to the Ducks for one last season; I no longer agree with them. Therefore, listed below are my top 3 reasons why I think Teemu will retire and I hope you find them insightful.
Time off - Teemu is 37 years old, and returning to the ice after a six month lay-off will be hard for him, especially getting back into game shape. Yes, he has been working out and he has done it before (he was able to do it after the lock-out), but that was two years ago and most people considered him washed up at the time.
Image - Will a comeback tarnish his image? That depends on how he plays. If Teemu is able to put up big numbers while playing in only half a season (20 goals and 20 assists) people will not question his return. If Teemu has a disappointing season, like the one he had in Colorado before the lockout, fans will say he should have stay retired.
Andy McDonald - The impact of the trade of Andy McDonald to St. Louis for Doug Weight will be felt by Teemu Selanne. In McDonald, Teemu found a player, very similar to Paul Kariya, whom he had a great deal of success with. Teemu Selanne had 88 goals and 96 assists over the past two seasons while playing with Andy McDonald.
Over all, I believe that the trade of Andy McDonald will cause Teemu Selanne to seriously question his return to the Ducks (He's not going to sign with a different team). His linemate is gone and Teemu now needs to seriously consider whether or not he will have the same chemistry with anyone else on the team. Once he realizes that he wouldn't have the chemistry he will start being concerned about his image. Teemu always wanted to go out on top and what better way is there than your last game being the one in which you hoist the Stanley Cup.
Let me know what your take on this is. Do you agree with my thoughts or do you think I'm way off based and that Teemu will return?
On a side note, Teemu has been my favorite NHLer since he joined the Ducks in 1995 and I will miss watching him play.
i think anyone's guess is just that. a guess. he must still be considering it since there has been no retirement news on the selanne front. my bet is that he is back by february.
This blog is funny!Temuu will be back maybe for St Louis.
Now that Teemu has won a Stanley Cup, he may realize now that he just wants to play while he still can - ala Mark Recchi in Atlanta. So what better way than to rejoin his former team mates Andy McDonald and Paul Karyia in St. Louis. There's no place to better raise a family - Teemu has a new born. If he came here, he'd never leave.
First of all JP Teemu has been training.. Where? I will not say!! But, never count out the Flash! I bet you a Beer at the ponda we will see him soon! It was unfortunate to see Mcdonald leave but Bobby Ryan will fill his shoe's nicely!As, for philkash blogger: Teemu going to the Blues is a total PIPE DREAM! If you knew Teemu as good as I do... He is a Total family man! He has a new baby girl... Do you think Serpa (Teemu's wife) is going to want him to go to St. Louis??? I say NADA!!!
Queenkilla: If you knew Teemu as well as you think.....you'd know his wife's name is SIRPA!
Teemu will surley return for the blues at least i hope so
Hey bcallaway, nothing against St. Louis, I'm sure it's a great city but c'mon! We've got so many people trying to get here, legally and illegally, that this place is going to burst in 10 years. the only way Selanne goes there is a trade deadline deal and it's because he thinks the Blues are going to win the Cup. He's already tried the cherry-picking thing with Kariya in Colorado and you see how well that worked out. And Queenkilla, I don't know where you get your info but if your definition of training is playing A LOT of golf, then your 100% correct.
I know what you're saying duxcup07 but I don't think my points are that far fetched. The reason I mention this area as a great place to raise a family and if he came he'd never leave isn't because I have a pro-StL bias because this is where I live. It's because that truly is the case with so many athletes that come here. They do not leave. Even players that were only here for a cup of coffee stay and raise their families here. You'd have to see a Blues Alumni game to truly appreciate how many players are still in the area from Tkachuk and Weight returning (their families remained here), to Peter Stasny, Basil McRae, Al MacInnis, Bernie Federko, Kelly Chase, Tony Twist, and the list goes on. I stand by my statement. IF---Teemu were to come here, he'd never leave.
I don't doubt that St. Louis is a great place to live. All I'm saying is when Teemu was traded to San Jose, he didn't move his family. When he played in Colorado, he didn't move his family. The simple fact is he likes it here. and his family really likes it here.
Teemu most likely isn't coming back until just before the deadline.. at that time, I see him jumping at the West team who can afford him and has a good shot at the cup. Sure, he's a family man... but if he can get a cup I'm sure he's okay with leaving his family for a couple of months... or take his family on an extended vacation..
What makes you so sure he won't sign with another team? He would be a perfect fit in Detroit, who will be looking to sign a second line winger before the trade deadline. Detroit can offer the perfect scenario for him where he won't have the pressure to be the top dog and will only be looked upon for secondary scoring in the post season. You can't tell me he wouldn't relish one more kick at the can and Detroit gives him a much better chance than the Ducks even with Niedermeyer's return...