This is probably a bad idea, Knob Creek seems to be no joke, but who really reads this anyway right? Who really cares, I will write a post just to spite myself.

I should start by saying something about the signings the Ducks have made, that would be the best part. First off, Brian Burke has started to sign a lot of guys with NHL experience who spend most of their time in the AHL this year, just in case someone gets hurt. This is a good idea, because we do not need to trade for Ric Jackman in the middle of the season and have him play horrible defense in the playoffs, then score one goal and be a hero, now do we. So a big thumbs up to Burkie for doing that, way to think ahead, way to think that your two Norris defenders are not invincible.

Now on to the good signings that we have made.

First we start with the man protecting the net. Jean Sebastian Giguere should officially retire an Anaheim Duck. This man is 100% class, he is a family man and he gives you everything he has without sugar-coating a thing. Giguere says the right things to the media without coming off as a douche bag, praises his teammates and loves being an Anaheim Duck. What more can you ask for? He also took a huge discount to play for the Ducks. I think the doctors and Francois Allaire had a very small part to do with his decision, but I believe the biggest reason was that he felt management did him right and the team has a chance to be good for a couple of years at least. Thank you J.S. and thank you Brian Burke, you made the right decision.

Let us move on to Mathieu Schneider, the heir apparent to the impossible. Not since Elvis Grbac in San Francisco has a single player had to replace such a integral part of team. Welcome to Anaheim Matt. Grbac did a really shitty job when he was with the 49ers, I really hope that Schneider doesn’t have the same fate. I am not too familiar with him to be honest. My buddy, who happens to be a Kings fan (I know, I know…”buddy”) says that he was upset when the Kings traded Schneider to the Red Wings, so that makes me think he is a decent player. Being 38 scares me a little bit, but so does Chris Chelios and he almost as old as my dad. So let me say that I think #23 will stop the bleeding if Scott Niedermayer retires, but will not heal the wound.

Now on to my favorite signing, Todd Bertuzzi. I am pretty sure I ragged on him when the Ducks were playing Detroit in the WCF, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like the guy. In fact, I am a big fan of Todd Bertuzzi. I was hoping that Burke traded for him two years ago, but that never happened. What he did to Steve Moore was down right vicious, he should probably be in jail or should have been, but he isn’t. I base everything on the here and now. Todd Bertuzzi is here in Anaheim and now has a chance to help out the club I cheer for. Funny how a change in uniform can change your opinion on a guy huh? Not really, he scared me in Detroit, if he played big, the Ducks would have probably lost that series. I will go out on a limb and say that Todd Bertuzzi has a productive season and flirts with 80 points 2008. But Burke over paid for him, that is for sure. He should have said here is $2,000,000, if you want $4,000,000, go get some points. Nothing drives an athlete like money.

I wont say much on the retirement issues. I think they both retire honestly, with Scott Niedermayer the most likely to return. Teemu Selanne accomplished what he wanted to, he has no contractual obligation to come back and I think his age, with his family, will play a big role. Both men have nothing to prove, Selanne is one of the best European players to ever lace them up and I will let Niedermayer’s resume speak the volumes it already has. I will be very sad when Selanne says he is officially done, he has been my favorite player since 1993, he radiates class. I was very honored to have my picture taken with him and to play a couple hands of blackjack with the man, he really is as charismatic as he seems.

Until next time folks, it is midnight and my eyes are getting really heavy. Deftones was the only thing to keep me awake while I wrote all this.