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Season Review: The Finnished Flash (and Koivu, too!)

Another summer, another non-retirement by Selanne -- probably his last, I'd wager, and I know I'll miss the annual drama.  But of all Teemu's recent non-retirements, this one could be the most welcome of them all.  Not only does it represent a closing chapter to the franchise's greatest player career, but Teemu brought along a valuable countryman-friend this time, longtime Canadiens captain Saku Koivu. 

Wonderfinn_medium
Nickname credit goes to commenter Bleys -- nicely done. 

Teemu and Saku are legends on international ice -- over four Olympics, Selanne has 20 goals and 15 assists in 25 GP; over three Olympics, Koivu has 9 goals and 19 assists in 22 GP -- and even though that co-production is dated, roster-wise they seem a perfect fit for Anaheim's second line behind Getzlaf & Co.  Frankly, I can't wait to see what these two legends pull off this year -- the opportunity to see them play together I think is worth the price of admission alone, and the Wonder Finns more than anything have me salivating for training camp (and heck, one more Olympics, too -- go Finland!).

Selanne's season last year was a strange one, segmented by a 17-game missed stretch when Teemu managed to cut himself with his own skateblade (actually, it's sort of 18 games missed; Teemu only played 14 seconds before the injury in Edmonton).  Before the injury, Teemu was near the top of the league in goal-scoring, but 13 of his first 14 goals were scored with the man-advantage.  Second line chemistry was a weird mess -- Selanne scored an even-strength goal on October 14th in Los Angeles but wouldn't pot another until January 31 in Colorado.  After the injury, Teemu's production evened out as he worked better with Andrew Ebbett -- of the 17 goals Teemu potted after his injury (including playoffs), 12 of them came at even strength.  He's certainly not the player that he once was -- it's getting rarer and rarer to see Teemu battle through checks -- but Selanne has tremendous offensive instincts and a sniper's set of hands. 


GPGAP+/-PIMPPGSHGGWGGTGSOGPCT
2008 - Teemu Selanne 65 27 27 54 -3 36 16 0 5 2 186 14.5
GPGAP+/-PIMPPGSHGGWGGTGSOGPCT
2008 - Saku Koivu 65 16 34 50 4 44 5 0 5 0 123 13.0

To tell the truth, I'm not terribly concerned about Teemu's final-year production, though -- my main wish is that Selanne has a boatload of fun this season.  As a Ducks fan, I feel I owe Teemu a lot more than he owes me at this point in his career.  It's a question of salary cap loyalty, which I'll expand upon after the jump.

Star-divide

Teemu Selanne's NHL Career -- goals and points per game
Selannecareer_medium
A look at Selanne's declining production leading into the lockout, and the resurgence since.

Selanne's knee resurrection is a fantastic story of career recovery, as graphically represented above -- basically every season that Teemu has worn a Ducks jersey he's been a star.  But to me, what's even more awesome than the physical recovery has been Teemu's financial reaction -- even when re-promoted to top-line status, Teemu never got contract-greedy, never leveraged his UFA status against the team, and in fact never really toyed with the notion of playing anywhere but Anaheim.  The guy became loyal to a fault -- always signing for whatever meager money was left in the spending budget, sticking to one- or two-year deals for flexibility (plus another opportunity to consider retirement), and consistently ending up as one of Anaheim's best contract bargains in a salary-capped league.

When hockey people use the term "franchise player", they're often referring to long-term contracts -- ones which GMs build around for a strech of many years.  But as this salary cap universe gets better understood, it's important to recognize the importance of another type of "franchise player" -- the loyal Selanne-type, near the end of his career, who repeatedly signs under-market short-term deals with one team only.  He's not the centerpiece of a team's spending budget like the Niedermayer/Prongers or Getzlaf/Perrys, but on the ice he contributes just as effectively.  I realize that not every franchise has such a devoted-and-skilled player willing to play for leftover money, but having one in a cap universe is definitely awesome.

So thanks a million, Teemu -- you're a class act, a fan favorite, and quite deservedly the greatest Duck ever.  Theoretically, I'm even going to name my daughter after you.  Have a blast this year, and if you get the chance, make sure to impress upon Koivu how much fun you had signing short-term Teemu deals in Anaheim -- if that tradition got passed on to the classy ex-Hab, it'd be a fantastic boon for Anaheim.

Go Ducks.

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If We're Being Fair...

Feb 2010 by RudyKelly - 21 comments

Comments

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Oh, and if I’m way off and Selanne decides to not retire again next summer? I’m all for doing it all again.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Aug 13, 2009 10:21 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I’m way too excited about Selänne and Koivu playing together. Is it October yet?

Would you make me number one on your playlist?

by sleza on Aug 13, 2009 11:08 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

According to my X-Box dynasty season, it’s already January. :)

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Aug 13, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

January? only month to Olympics and the gold medal mighty suckfest!

i’ll probably have to start wake up early and watch the games…

Would you make me number one on your playlist?

by sleza on Aug 13, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, I’m playing last year’s schedule with approximations of next year’s teams.

Like Lidstrom and Datsyuk, I’ve just skipped past the All-Star Game. But it helps pass some offseason time.

Incidentally, I’m playing an easy mode and killing the league, but in second place? The computer simulated Los Angeles Kings.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Aug 13, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

they need some love too… ;)

Would you make me number one on your playlist?

by sleza on Aug 13, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Word, Sleek. I’m headed into the playoffs in Be a Pro.

Anaheim Calling
http://anaheimcalling.blogspot.com

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Aug 13, 2009 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is it October yet?

Incidentally, I was going to draw a cartoon of a Duck, a King, an Angel and a Dodger all wishing it was October while a Shark was wishing he was dead. A nice BoC multi-sport effort. Could have been funny, but it wasn’t to be — turns out I have no goddamn idea what a Dodger looks like.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Aug 13, 2009 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

draw the LA symbol with a thickness like u did the red wing wheel guy

or show a guy with ducking an arrow shot by the angel or somthing

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Aug 13, 2009 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Or just draw a hispanic guy stabbing a Giants fan.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Aug 13, 2009 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

aw man work has been stressful..i really needed that good laugh!!!

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Aug 13, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh come on that’s an easy one!!

Nobody cares about your opinion.

by brokenyard on Aug 13, 2009 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

James Mirtle twittered that the Ducks have traded Drew Miller and a 3rd for Evgeny Artyukhin. I hate that guy.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Aug 13, 2009 12:43 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Hm, well looks like Artyukhin has one year left on a $950k deal, then he’s a UFA. So long, I guess, Miller Lite.

Artyukhin’s Hockey-Reference page.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Aug 13, 2009 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Artyukhin was also the guy that kneed Drew Doughty last year, so I imagine the Kings are going to have a raffle to see who fights him first.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Aug 13, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hope Frolov wins the raffle.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Aug 13, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

im like who the hell is this dog icon guy with rudy’s name…have i been gone that long?

was there an explanation ont he change? did i miss a post?

my life doesnt make as much sense as used to..

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Aug 13, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I switched it up for the new season. If there’s one thing I love more than meerkats, it’s Wishbone.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Aug 13, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

burke must be chokin on his donut up in toronto..euros? on the ducks?

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Aug 13, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Russians, specifically. I think the last Russian Duck player was probably Bryzgalov, and the last Duck skater was 4 games of Maxim Kondratiev.

As for Russian forwards, I’m not sure who was the last one Anaheim has had — Chistov? Fedorov? Burke showed Russians the door pretty quickly.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Aug 13, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

the guy is 6-5 and has a hard to pronouce/type name (no one wants spade trying to spell that one)…thats at least intruiging

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Aug 13, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, he needs a nickname quickly — maybe just R2.

But maybe that’s Barstool Bob’s fetish. Wisniewski, Nokelainen, Christensen, Artyukhin — he’s definitely acquiring a good set of tongue-twisters.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Aug 13, 2009 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

teemu best duck ever..period

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Aug 13, 2009 1:06 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

p.s.

why am i getting thoughts of SNL ambiguously gay duo cartoon looking at your cartoon sleek? replace the ducks icons with a big G and A…

oooh i just set myself up….

that was such a disturbing cartoon

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Aug 13, 2009 1:23 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Aug 13, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can’t be helped — such is the nature of 80s cartoons.

Just tell people “It’s not gay; It’s just Finnish”.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Aug 13, 2009 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

selanne’s “the boys in the sauna” cup pic doesnt help by the way

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Aug 13, 2009 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Shit, you beat me while I was finding it.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Aug 13, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This picture is really Finnish.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Aug 13, 2009 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i love u temmu…and you will be the first duck retired..but fuck…i really wished u never did that

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Aug 13, 2009 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Who knows? Maybe that’s the photo that lured Koivu to Anaheim.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Aug 13, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

There is absolutely no way the guy with the moustache isn’t jacking off.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Aug 13, 2009 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

im doing my best not to speculate what hes doing..lets just say you dont see 2 hands…so what are they doing?….excuse while i go throw up in the company bathroom

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Aug 13, 2009 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I could see /b/ totally shopping the mustache guy onto everyone… actually that sounds awesome.

I hate 4chan.

Nobody cares about your opinion.

by brokenyard on Aug 13, 2009 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Earl,

I’m a Habs fan with a broken heart, Koivu was my favorite player. I’m planning to see the Habs versus Ducks game in early March in Anaheim. My loyalties are torn at the moment and I’m getting myself a Duck’s Koivu jersey. Tell the Duck fans to take good care of my captain, he deserves it!

by MISS KITTY on Aug 13, 2009 2:05 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

No doubt the Ducks got another fan favorite in swooping up Koivu — hopefully the Anaheim crowd realizes what a special player we picked up.

I don’t know what games I’m going to next year, but if I hit that Habs game, I’ll let you know.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Aug 13, 2009 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Always nice when a player leaves on good terms with his old team. Fans so commonly Boo their former favorites as if they’re ex-girlfriends.

Nobody cares about your opinion.

by brokenyard on Aug 13, 2009 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’m so excited to see both Finns in Duck jerseys sharing the ice… I intend on making a huge sign. Hopefully I’ll remember to take it to a game.

And to Miss Kitty, Anaheim may not have the most knowledgeable hockey fans, but those of us who do love the sport and its history realize we have picked up a very special player =) I hope he comes to love it here.

I went to see the fights, but a hockey game broke out...
http://ducks54.blogspot.com

by Ducks54 on Aug 14, 2009 2:51 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Can Koivu speak Spanish? That’s all I want to know about.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Aug 14, 2009 10:19 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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