Update (9:15 PM): The Ducks’ site has some comments from Schneider on his decision here. (via Snapshots) - Matt
Update (5:20 PM): According to Brian Burke, Scott Niedermeyer is leaning toward retiring, so Schneider’s decision to head to Anaheim is making more sense. Is it just me or does it seem rather tactless of Burke to blab to the whole world what Niedermeyer is thinking? - Matt
TSN reports that Mathieu Schneider has signed a two-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks that will pay him $5.5 million this coming season and $5.75 the season after that.
I have to think that, if pressed, the Wings were able to offer that much themselves, so it looks like the negotiation hangups were less about the money and more about Schneider just wanting to move on. That’s what makes this deal so offensive to me, though. If he wanted a lot more money than the Wings could pay, that’s one thing, but leaving at a price the team could probably afford is an insult. And the fact that he left to go to the team that eliminated the Wings from the playoffs is even worse (if you recall, Sergei Fedorov did the same thing). I thought Schneider was better than that. I’m sure we’ll hear more on why he left and I’m sure part of it will be a lame excuse about how he doesn’t like Mike Babcock. It’s a great deal for the Ducks, who now have someone who can help fill in Scott Nidermeyer’s shoes, should he decide to retire.
Hopefully Holland will be able to re-sign Markov now and perhaps land one of the bigger-name forwards out there, if not another defenseman.
I feel the same way Matt. Schneider leaving the way he has just leaves a bad taste in my mouth, much the same as when Fedorov left for Anaheim. But, I guess we’re going to find out just how strong the Wings D is, and if he can stay healthy, I think Nik 2.0 could step into Schneider’s role just fine.
I’m still hoping for Ryan Smyth, but as long as Kenny makes smart moves I’ll be happy. He most certainly does not have to go out and sign a huge name to a huge deal just becasue everyone else is (ie the Flyers giving Briere like $6.5 million per season for 5 years). Go Kenny!
Ok, I love Schneider to death and I was horrified when I found out that he signed with Anaheim. Schneider’s leaving is similar to Fedorov in one way: they both went to Anahiem. That is where the similarities stop, though. Fedorov pretended he wanted to be here and then left and said horrible things about the organization and the fans. You thought Schneider was better than that? Players move on. We have trouble comprehending this as Wings fans, but it is very rare for players to stay in one place for a significant period of time. Schneider has been nothing but respectful of the team. I hate that he went to Anaheim, but I can totally understand it. He picked what was the best situation for him and his family. How does that make him a bad guy? I thought he was happy here, but then Schneider’s not the type to go whining to the media. It would have been nice for us Schneider fans to have some sort of warning, but I respect him a lot for that. As a fan, I am devastated that Schneider went to Anaheim. I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle the first time we play him. But that is no reason question Schneider’s character or integrity.