Rumor: Stephens: Ducks closing in on deal with Koivu

[The Midnight Burrito]

Selanne is still probably the #2 best scorer on the team. If they can keep his legs by sitting him it's still valuable to the team.

Yeah. It could actually work out great, gives an opportunity for one of the kids to be eased in to a top role without us really needing him there.

 

[2faded]

Koivu signing means Bonino is the 2nd line center next year. Unless we are trading Holland in a package for a 2nd line center, then Holland needs to make the jump to the NHL full time and he wont be starting on the 2nd line.

My guess is that we re-sign Steckel and Holland will split time with him. Bonino is perfect in a 3rd/4th line role but he will be our 2C until someone passes him.

 

[Theridion]

I dont mind anything about bonino. This team is better with him somewhere.

But we need to win faceoffs. Is there some hockey school we enroll bonino in for the summer?

At that notion, we shoukd get getz some faceoff courses too.

 

[Leizi]

The Patrice Bergeron school of faceoffs and clutch play.

 

[Ducks Nation*]

Bonino has some amazing hands I saw him at Anaheim Ice a couple of weeks ago, dude has dangles!

 

[KaseMeOutside]

whatever.
until i see some real changes i'm not high on this roster.
bonino is not a no.2 center on a cup contender yet, despite how much he has improved.

nothing against koivu

 

[PuqTalk]

Bonino's going to show all of you... you guys just wait and watch.

 

[justheducks]

Better not be a penny over $3 million and should be $2.2-$2.5 million range.
We can't pay a 3rd liner over $3 million, not with the cap going down so much.

 

[Elvs]

Koivu is so underrated, he was on a pace for 49-50 points had this been a full 82 game season, while playing with the likes of Cogliano and Winnik. When you factor his points and linemates in, along with his defensive game, $3 mil would be a good contract. Of course, at his age and with the cap coming down, it wouldn't hurt if he took a paycut.

 

[Exit Dose]

Koivu is so underrated, he was on a pace for 49-50 points had this been a full 82 game season, while playing with the likes of Cogliano and Winnik. When you factor his points and linemates in, along with his defensive game, $3 mil would be a good contract. Of course, at his age and with his cap coming down, it wouldn't hurt if he took a paycut.

It wouldn't hurt if he did, but as you said, he more than justified the money he made last year.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

Better not be a penny over $3 million and should be $2.2-$2.5 million range.
We can't pay a 3rd liner over $3 million, not with the cap going down so much.

Hope it's 3.1 just to irritate you.

 

[Kalv]

Koivu was our 2nd line center in many aspects.

 

[justheducks]

Hope it's 3.1 just to irritate you.

I am sure it will be lol.
But I think he was drastically overpaid at $3.8 million.
I would love to have Saku back but not at that rate.

 

[Mr Rogers]

Koivu was our 2nd line center in many aspects.

I think so too.

 

[Finnpin]

Koivu is still very useful 3rd C and finding a replacement for him would be very difficult so hope he continues. Saku's family loves OC so no need for them to look other options.

And what comes to Teemu, did everybody forget how crazy season it was with back to back games and the tight schedule. Old players can't handle those like young. It was the biggest reason why Teemu sucked there. Old body didn't recover fast enough and he wasn't having fun there.

 

[Markus078]

Bonino's going to show all of you... you guys just wait and watch.

This! He will be great next season! Mark my words

 

[abax44]

Selanne playing with Boninio isn't going to result in much, in terms of production. 15-16 minutes won't help either. I'd love to see him get to 700 this season, but it almost sounds like it won't happen, still playing or not.