Perhaps in an attempt to rekindle the glory of the franchises' 2007 Stanley Cup win, the Ducks have named ex-captain and hockey great Scott Niedrmayer to the coaching staff.

Niedermayer will join fellow assistant coaches Bob Woods, Brad Lauer, and video coordinator Joe Piscotty on head coach Bruce Boudreau's staff
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“I’m very excited to expand my role with the Ducks and take on a new challenge,” beamed Niedermayer. “I’m grateful to Bob Murray, Bruce Boudreau and the Ducks organization for giving me this opportunity and can’t wait to get started.”

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The addition of Niedermayer comes at a time when the Ducks desperately need to make a return the playoffs - having missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons. Niedermayer could be a perfect mentor for young offensive defenseman Cam Fowler. The 20-year has struggled with consistency at both ends of the ice and despite his young age he is entering his third season in the NHL. He eats up a lot of ice time and it's high time Cam starts making those minutes count.

Since he was resigned to a monster deal last season it has become clear that Fowler is the teams future on the blueline. I believe Niedermayer is just the guy to make sure the Ducks aren't wasting their money.

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The Ducks could look very different next season should they lose Teemu Selanne (UFA), Saku Koivu (UFA), Corey Perry (UFA) and Ryan Getzlaf(UFA). One has to believe that Bob Murray will do everything in his power to retain Perry and Getzlaf, but even so the teams margin for error is ridiculously small. I fully expect Anaheim to stop at nothing to get back to the playoffs and convince these guys that the Ducks are committed to a winning environment.

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Many people ask me which of the Ducks young players have the best chance to make the team this season and my answer is almost always the same...just looks at the guys that saw NHL playing time at the end of last season - Devante Smith-Pelly, Kyle Palmieri.

The Ducks did invite phenom goalie John Gibson to camp. Don't get too excited though. With a healthy Jonas Hiller and newly acquired Victor Fasth manning the pipes, Anaheim looks pretty set for the season - barring an injury of course.

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