| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Guest4680
( )
|
 Posted - 05/22/2008 : 19:10:54
|
While Brian Burke has given his stars Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne until next month's NHL entry draft to tell him whether they will play next season or retire, the Ducks' general manager says he is confident that he will re-sign Corey Perry, although it appears that won't happen until July. Perry, a potential restricted free agent, could be the target of a pricey offer sheet this summer.
Perry, 23, led the Ducks with 29 goals despite sitting out the last six weeks of the regular season because of a torn tendon in his right leg. Even with the injury, it's likely that Perry will command at least $4 million a season.
Ducks give Niedermayer, Selanne a deadline"Right now we don't have the tagging room [for his contract], but we think we will on July 1 if the cap goes up as much as we think," Burke said. "We think we will be in position to sign him. He's made it very clear that he wants to stay."
Backup goalie Jonas Hiller, who had an impressive first NHL season, also can become a restricted free agent. Hiller went 10-7-1 with a 2.06 goals-against average and figures to get a hefty raise from his $850,000 salary last season.
"The wild card is it's possible he's going to get a big offer overseas," Burke said. "He has to decide if he wants to play in the NHL. We'd love to have him back."
Center Doug Weight and defenseman Joe DiPenta are the only other unrestricted free agents. Weight isn't expected back after playing poorly since joining the Ducks in mid-December as part of the Andy McDonald trade. But DiPenta's future may be tied to Niedermayer.
"We intend to tell Joe where his status is before the draft," Burke said. The draft will be held June 20-21 in Ottawa.
Burke spent Wednesday in Bakersfield to announce the team's new one-year agreement with the Condors of the ECHL in what may be a first step toward putting their minor-league teams on the West Coast.
The Ducks' current American Hockey League affiliate is based in Portland, Maine, where the Pirates are competing in the Calder Cup playoffs. Portland played Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals with the series tied 2-2.
But the Ducks haven't hidden their desire to bring their AHL team closer to Anaheim. The likelihood of that occurring won't happen, Burke said, until another team relocates to California.
The farthest west the 29-team AHL extends is Houston.
"[Owner] Henry Samueli wants both our farm teams in Southern California at some point," Burke said. "It may take several years. It's going to take some time."
The Ducks ended their two-year relationship with the Georgia-based Augusta Lynx to partner with Bakersfield, which was not previously affiliated with an NHL team. The Condors play in the 9,000-seat Rabobank Arena.
"We're excited about that," Burke said. "We did a one-year affiliation so we can see if it's a good fit. We really like the ownership and the proximity. The building is wonderful."
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Brian Burke confident Corey Perry can be re-signed 
