Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Teemu Selanne has knee surgery, future plans temporarily on hold

Nashville Predators v Anaheim Ducks - Game Two

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 15: Teemu Selanne #8 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Nashville Predators in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 15, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Knee surgery is always a scary proposition. It’s even scarier when it’s the soon-to-be 41-year-old who has been contemplating retirement that is having surgery. Such is the case for the Teemu Selanne and the Anaheim Ducks. Selanne went back to Finland after the season with his family and underwent arthroscopic surgery for his surgically repaired left knee. The Finnish face of the franchise wanted to have his knee looked at before he made a final decision for next season.

Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray was quick to point out that any speculation about the surgery at this point would be exactly that--speculation. Still, with Selanne delaying his decision until after free agency opens, Murray will be forced to build his team for next season without knowing the superstar’s intentions.

Eric Stephens of the OC Register spoke to Ducks GM Bob Murray last week:

“Ducks GM Bob Murray intimated that the procedure might have been more exploratory in nature but quickly cautioned that “until we know more, we shouldn’t speculate.”

“I think Teemu wants to play and I think he’s trying to make sure that before he decides to play that everything’s going to be OK,” Murray said. ”I think he’s taking all the steps to make sure everything is OK. He has every right to do that, by the way.”


Before looking at his options this summer, let’s take a look at what Selanne did this season. He netted 31 goals while primarily playing on the Ducks’ second line and power play unit. His 80 points this season was good for 8th in the NHL—all while playing as an injured 40-year-old. What would he be able to do if he had two good legs to skate on?

As has seemingly been his annual tradition since the lockout, Selanne will weigh his options before committing to another season with the Ducks. Last season he proved that he still has plenty left in the tank—at this point it’s a personal decision. If he still has the fire to play, the Ducks would welcome him back with open arms.

If he decides to hang ‘em up then things will get interesting. The Ducks’ pipeline is stocked full of offensive prospects waiting to get a chance at the NHL level. Kyle Palmieri was knocking on the door last season after an impressive season in Syracuse. Brandon McMillian proved that he deserved more quality ice time while playing with the big club last season. During Thursday’s prospect camp, both Emerson Etem and Devante Smith-Pelly stated they’re aiming to make the NHL team in September (and both were impressive during the scrimmage as well). All four would be nice additions to the Ducks next season—but none are ready to step into Selanne’s skates at this point in their career. That’s not a knock on the youngers; it would be difficult for anyone to replace the future Hall of Famer in the Ducks lineup.

On the free agent market, they could be interested in someone like Tyler Kennedy or the like simply as an insurance policy if Selanne were to retire. No matter what the Ducks decide to do moving forward, Selanne probably won’t announce his intentions until later this summer. But if the surgery goes well and he decides he’s up for another 82-game grind, the Ducks could use the high-end help if they want to make it back to the playoffs.