The NHL drops the puck on the second half of its season on Tuesday night, and the defending Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks
That's because the Ducks got word that Teemu Selanne is ending his five-month pseudo-sabbatical because "this team has all the tools we need" to win another Stanley Cup.
The Ducks filled their need for a top-six forward by signing the 37-year-old for the balance of the season.
Anaheim is 27-20-6 entering the second half and currently sits fourth in the Western Conference with 60 points. The Ducks are one point behind Pacific Division co-leaders San Jose and Dallas.
Selanne scored 48 regular-season goals and five more in 21 playoff games last season en route to the Ducks' first Stanley Cup title. The 1999 Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy winner, Selanne has scored 540 goals and 595 assists in his 15-year career.
"The only reason why I came back is that I really felt that I wanted to play hockey again," Selanne said.
"That's why I'm here. I'm not expecting everything to happen automatically right away. You have to patient a little while, but I'm expecting to feel better everyday. That's what I'm looking forward to."
Selanne has been working out aggressively throughout his unofficial retirement, and he practiced with the team Monday. He accompanied the Ducks on their eight-game, 15-day road trip. He won't play Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild, but he's not ruling out making his debut Friday against the St. Louis Blues."We are ecstatic," Anaheim general manager Brian Burke said. "He provides proven goal-scoring and leadership, and we believe he will give us a boost for the stretch run."
The Ducks are hoping that Selanne can lift the spirits of a team that went into the All-Star break with three consecutive losses.
"It'll be nice," winger Chris Kunitz said. "We usually have a fairly quiet locker room. With him back, it'll be vocal."
WINGS STAR IMPROVING: Detroit left wing Henrik Zetterberg, who missed the final two games of last week's road trip because of a sore lower back, then didn't go to the All-Star Game Sunday in Atlanta, practiced Monday and might play sometime this week.
"I felt all right," said Zetterberg, who completed the practice Monday, only slowing slightly at the end.
"It's been a few days since I've skated. I skated pretty good. It's definitely going in the right direction.
"I kind of held back (at the end of practice), but it's natural to do that with so many days off. If it keeps going the way it's going, I'm real positive about (playing) Wednesday (against Phoenix), but we'll make a decision (Tuesday) or Wednesday."
Wings coach Mike Babcock said the decision to play could largely depend on Zetterberg, who leads the team in goals (28) and points (61).
"Whatever he decides," Babcock said.
The Red Wings have a commanding points lead in the Western Conference (and for the Presidents Cup) even though Zetterberg has been dealing with back issues through the season.
Bet on the NHL at WagerWeb.com already are a better team than before the All-Star break.
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