An Open Letter

Dear 2009-2010 Hockey Season,

Please show up soon, I don't know how much longer I can last.

Signed with Love,
Me

And in serious Ducks related news:

In the growing trend of one year deals around these parts, the Ducks signed Petteri Nokelainen to a one-year extension. Don't believe me? You can read all about it here: http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=457846

& Ryan Getzlaf underwent successful hernia removal surgery. No, seriously. Okay fine if you don't believe me, read about it here: http://ducks.freedomblogging.com/2009/07/29/getzlaf-has-hernia-surgery/16843/


Only 65 Days until the Ducks take on the Sharks at the home opener, aka the revival of my life. :)

Some News! Yay!

It's been dead on the hockey scene for a while now, but I finally have a couple things worth updating about! Yay!

First is the Ducks have hired a new goalie coach.

The Ducks announced on Tuesday that they have named Pete Peeters as their new goaltending consultant.

“Pete Peeters has a proven track record as one of the top goaltending consultants in the league,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. “We are pleased to announce he’s joined the team.”

Peeters, 51 (8/17/57), joins the Ducks after having served as the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltending coach for the last eight seasons. During his tenure, he helped Dwayne Roloson backstop the Oilers to a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2006. Prior to joining Edmonton, Peeters spent four seasons as the goaltending coach for the Winnipeg Jets and Phoenix Coyotes from 1993-97.

For More Information and Peeters Comments, Go here: http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=457770

And Second is that the loved Phil Hulett will be returning as the Ducks PA announcer!!

The Ducks have announced that Phil Hulett will be returning to the team as its public address announcer at Honda Center this coming season.

Phil was the public address announcer for the Ducks from 1996 through November of 2007 when increased duties and scheduling issues at KFWB 980 AM – where Phil anchors the News – required him to step down. Phil is still at KFWB, but is the morning show host, which has freed him up to return to the Ducks.

"I had no idea how much I would miss the game and the fans,” Hulett said. “I couldn't be more excited to come back, and to say I am grateful to the front office is an understatement."

Phil was replaced the past two seasons by Mike Carlucci, who had originally been the Ducks PA announcer during a stretch in the mid-1990s.

“While we’re obviously thrilled to have Phil back, we'd also like to thank Mike for stepping in on short notice and for the terrific job he did these past two seasons.” said Rod Murray, Ducks Director of Entertainment/Multi-Media.

Hulett will resume his duties at Honda Center starting with the four home preseason Ducks games on Sept. 16, 17, 21 and 27 and the home opener against San Jose on Oct. 3.

Source: http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=457784

Ducks Announce 09-10 Pre-Season Schedule:

Let the countdowns begin because the Anaheim Ducks announced the 09-10 season's pre-season schedule. That's right, only 65 more days of hockey withdrawl symptoms! Even if the pre-season isn't actual hockey, it will do the job until the regular season gets underway. And who can resist the lure of the pre-season fights that happen with the newbies out to prove themselves by getting in as many fist throwing fights as they can? I can't....

Ducks Re-Sign Wisniewski to a One-Year Deal

The Ducks announced today they have signed defenseman James Wisniewski to a one-year contract. Per club policy, no financial terms of the deal were disclosed.

“James Wisniewski was a big part of our team’s turnaround last season,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. “Being only 25 years old, we expect him to continue improving and make a large impact on our team going forward.”

More information on Wisniewski can be found here: http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=442528


I, along with Ducks fans everywhere, am glad that the Ducks and Wisniewski were able to come to an agreement and not have to go to arbitration. Those can get ugly!

Ducks Sign Steve McCarthy to a one year deal

The Ducks announced today the signing of defenseman Steve McCarthy to a one-year contract. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

Source: http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=436759

Another day, another one-year contract signing! The ball just keeps on rolling!

Ducks Sign Nick Boynton to a One Year Deal

The Ducks today signed defenseman Nick Boynton to a one-year contract. Per club policy, no financial terms of the deal were disclosed.

“Nick is the type of veteran defenseman we were hoping to add to our lineup,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. “He’s played over 500 NHL games and brings a physical presence to our team.”

For more info on Boynton click here: http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=436627

After the Koivu signing yesterday, it left the fans with one more wish. Sign a veteran defenseman, and just like that Murry crossed his arms and wrinkled his nose and BAM! Boynton is a Duck. Just another signing that makes Ducks fans everywhere anticipate the season more and more. It's shaping up to be a good one!

Ducks Sign Saku Koivu to One-Year Deal

No, you're eyes do not deceive you, the Ducks really did sign Saku Koivu to a one year deal @ $3.25 million!!!!!!!!!

The Ducks announced today they have signed center Saku Koivu to a one-year contract. Per club policy, no financial terms of the deal were disclosed.

“Saku Koivu’s character and leadership qualities are unquestioned,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. “He is a skilled playmaker and we are thrilled to add him to our team.”

(Hey, Murray... Us Ducks fans are thrilled too!)

For more information on Koivu and to read his comments about this signing go here: http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=436535


This just made the hockey withdrawls go into overdrive as now I find myself IMPATIENTLY waiting for the season to get going. I bought a Saku Koivu shirt last summer when I took a trip to Montreal. I think it's fate. I can't wait to see Koivu and Selanne playing together!! They tore it up for Finland in the olympics and now they're on the same team and can only get better! Oh my-- I need to remember to breathe.

Ducks Sign Marchant to Two-Year Deal

The Ducks announced today they have signed veteran center Todd Marchant to a two-year contract through the 2010-11 season.
Per club policy, no financial terms of the deal were disclosed.

“We’re pleased that Todd will remain a Duck for the next two seasons,” said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. “His versatility on the ice and presence in the locker room is something this club has deeply valued over the past four seasons.”

Source: http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=436440


This is a signing I really wanted to see happen. Often times, yearly-- in fact, Todd Marchant is an underrated player by some Ducks fans. He's often the one to be thrown under the bus, the expendable player, the one we can trade cause what good does he do anyway? Some just don't really see what Marchant does for the team. It takes a trained eye, an observant eye, to really understand just how important Todd is to the team.

He does the little things that a casual fan wouldn't notice, like setting up plays and getting the team out of trouble, and then every so often he'll do huge things that any fan would be dumb not to notice (Triple OT Game Winner against the Wings ring a bell?) That's when the fans who usually throw him under the bus claim that he's their favorite player and they knew all along how vital to the team he is.

He's a key player, and it would have been a big loss to lose him. I'm glad that Todd "T-Bone" Marchant is still a Duck!

Ducks Sign Salcido to One-Year Deal

Today in Signings:

The Ducks signed defenseman Brian Salcido to a one-year contract. Per club policy, no financial terms of the deal were disclosed.

More info on Salcido can be found here:http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=434594

Also, just in case you haven't heard but I'm guessing you probably have, Beauchemin is now with the Toronto Maple Leafs (Or the Toronto Ducks, whichever you prefer to call them!). They signed him today at about $3.8 mil./year. More details on this loss for the Ducks can be found here: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=434556

And last, but not least-- FSN PRIME Ticket will be airing Ducks Classics from July 14th through September 15th to help all us Ducks fans with our off-season withdrawl symptoms. The planned detailed schedule and more information about that can be found here:http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=434579

July 1st Free Agent Roundup

Here's a quick recap of what took place today for the Ducks in terms of free agents:

Scott Niedermayer and the Ducks agreed to terms of contract. Niedermayer signed a 1 year, 6 million contract. More details and comments from Niedermayer can be found here: http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=433030

The Ducks re-signed Erik Christensen to a one year deal, and more information on that can be found here: http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=432364

Thrilling right? Pretty silent in Ducks land. Although there is a loud rumor of Koivu coming to Anaheim. At this point, that's still just a loud rumor, but I'll cross my fingers.