Anaheim Ducks Player Grades: Teemu Selanne

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This is supposed to be Teemu Selanne‘s last season in the NHL. The Anaheim Ducks designed a plan that would allow Selanne to sit out one game in the back-to-back situations. The strategy was to rest Selanne especially if the Ducks made a deep playoff run this year.

Unfortunately, the Ducks were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by their arch-rival Los Angeles Kings in the second round. Despite another early exit, Selanne scored two big goals in the series and still showed glimpses of his old self.

With Selanne returning for one last season, Ducks fans were treated to many tributes and final memories of the Finnish Flash.

Here we look back at Teemu Selanne’s 2013-2014 season, his final one in a Ducks’ uniform and in the National Hockey League.

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Regular Season

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Selanne played in 64 games this past season. He had nine goals and 18 assists for a total of 27 points.

This was one of Selanne’s lowest production seasons in his career, however he also saw his average ice time reduced as well. He had his best game against the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 15 when he scored two goals and nearly earned a hat trick in a 9-1 win.

Selanne is still a fast skater, but seemed to lose a little bit of step this season. The bigger issue was his puck possession. It seemed the opposing players were able to knock him off the puck too easily. Selanne turned the puck over many times this season.

Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau played Selanne on the third line for most of the season, but there was a stretch where he played on the top line with Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf.

I would have liked to see him on that line longer to see how he would have finished the season.

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Regular Season Grade: B-

Playoffs

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Selanne took his game to the old level we have been accustomed to seeing. He skated hard every game and even threw more body checks than usual. He made a few great passes behind the net or near the net that lead to Ducks goals in each round.

Selanne scored a goal in Game 1 and Game 3 against the Los Angeles Kings. In Game 1, he scored giving the Ducks a 2-1 lead. It looked like it would have been the game winning goal, until the Kings tied the game late in regulation. Unfortunately the Kings went on to win in overtime.

In Game 3 Selanne scored on the power play on a great pass by Nick Bonino to give the Ducks a 2-1 lead. It appeared to be the game winning goal again with the Ducks leading 3-1. The Kings scored a late goal making Ben Lovejoy‘s goal the game winner instead.

The rest during the regular season paid off as Selanne skated with much more speed in the playoffs. Selanne was the sixth highest scoring Duck player in the playoffs this year.

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Playoff Grade: B+

Future

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The future for Selanne is still not certain. In the beginning of the season he announced it would be his last year. He had many celebrations honoring his career at various NHL rinks around the league this year.

With the Ducks finishing first in the Western Conference it seemed the Ducks were poised to go deep into the playoffs. Everything came to an abrupt halt when the Ducks lost 6-2 in Game 7 against the Kings. It was frustrating end to the Ducks’ season.

But will that be the last memory we will see of Selanne on the ice?

I think if the Ducks add some more players to complete the puzzle, then maybe Selanne will not retire. There was a report last month that Selanne was interested in playing in the KHL, but that seems unlikely.

If he does indeed retire, then I hope he still has some role with the Ducks organization.