Teemu Selanne Signs Pact for One Year, $4 Million

UPDATE 9/15/11: Teemu is back! From The OC Register Ducks Blog:

The entry also notes this season should be his last, so try to avoid drafting him in first-year keepers unless you have to. All and any single season mixed leagues should have the 41-year-old on their short list as he still carries 30-goal potential at a discounted price. Draft accordingly, gamers.

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Nothing new on the Teemu Selanne front. No news must be good news, right? Brian Rafalski, Mark Recchi, Kris Draper and Chris Osgood already retired; Mike Modano seems on the verge of hanging up his skates. We continue to hear nothing, or almost nothing regarding the talented Finnish sniper.

Let’s take a look at yesterday’s report. From Eric Stephens of The OC Register:

So we do know a few things. If Selanne is to play this upcoming season, it will be at what he deems to be a higher level. It will also be for the Anaheim Ducks where linemates Jason Blake and Saku Koivu hold one more year on their contracts and where Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry would be more than happy to share their power play time with.

Last season, Selanne played at that higher level. His 80 points in only 71 games tied for eighth in overall scoring with Henrik Zetterberg. He also went above 80 points for the first time since the ’06 – ’07 season, when he scored 48 goals and finished with 94 points. To predict a similar pace from an injury prone 41-year-old would be optimistic to say the least, however he has proved that if healthy he will score.

Of all right wingers in the League, Selanne ranked third in a points-per-game behind only Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry and Martin St. Louis. Most impressively, he did this while missing time with injury and losing a full point off of his shooting percentage. As a member of the 600-goal club, Selanne can snipe and his career shooting percentage of 15.5 goes a long way considering he takes roughly 175+ shots per season. If the Finnish Flash can take 200 shots next season at a modest 15 percent then he becomes locked in for 30 goals.

Now where does this leave us as fantasy GMs? Well, assuming Selanne does not retire, you can take a risk or choose not to. The last two seasons, Selanne has gone anywhere from the 8th round and back. Considering where he ranked at the end of last season, you can also assume his value goes up in standard leagues. By no means would I advocate taking him in the first or second round, but he could be a decent gamble to use as your #1 RW.

In short, if he comes back for one year, and can stay healthy expect 30 goals. Just try not to pay a premium for a player who likely has one good leg next year.

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