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The curious case of Kyle Cumiskey

Colorado Avalanche vs Vancouver Canucks

VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 26: Kyle Cumiskey #10 of the Colorado Avalanche waits for the start of NHL action against the Vancouver Canucks on October 26, 2010 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

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Earlier today, CBC’s Tim Wharnsby tweeted the Anaheim Ducks agreed to terms with defenseman Kyle Cumiskey on a one-year, two-way deal.

Just one problem -- earlier this month, it was reported Cumiskey had already signed for 2012-13...with Swedish Elite League outfit Modo.

So, what gives?

According to Lisa Dilman of the LA Times and Eric Stephens of the OC Register, it’s complicated. Turns out the one-year, two-way deal deal was awarded to Cumiskey by an arbitrator, this after Anaheim gave him a qualifying offer on June 25.

Cumiskey, though, is challenging the ability of the Ducks to take him to arbitration in the first place.

It seems as though Anaheim offered the deal merely to retain Cumiskey’s rights, but it doesn’t seen as though Cumiskey wants anything to do with the Ducks (The Ducks apparently know he wants to play overseas this year.)

The Modo deal was signed after a 2011-12 campaign that saw Cumiskey traded Anaheim in early October and not play a single minute at the NHL level.

Instead, he spent his entire season with AHL Syracuse, an odd development for a 25-year-old that’s played 132 NHL contests (and had 20 points in 61 games in 2009-10.)

We’ll have more on this story when further information is released.