Saku Koivu obviously likes the direction that the Anaheim Ducks are headed in, otherwise he wouldn’t be sticking around.
The veteran 37-year-old forward recently sat down with Ducks general manager Bob Murray and the two sides were able to hammer out a one-year contract worth $3 million. And although the Ducks are coming off their second non-playoffs season in three years, Koivu still sees plenty of potential with this team making a run for the Cup.
“I want to win,” said Koivu, who has yet to win a Stanley Cup over the course of his 15-year career. “At this point in my career that’s the No. 1 priority and in talking with Bob and hearing his plan…I’m confident they’re going to make a push. With the core group of young players we have, the future looks bright. It’s very clear they want to make a push and get a playoff team for next year.”
Koivu, who was arguably one of Anaheim’s most consistent two-way forwards over the course of a disappointing 2012 season for the team, scored 11 goals and 38 points with a plus-7 rating in 74 games.
Not only does keeping Koivu onboard guarantee the Ducks another dependable forward who can contribute on both the penalty kill and the power play, but it also has to help their chances of luring back Koivu’s good friend and Anaheim fan favorite Teemu Selanne. Selanne is once again contemplating retirement and will make his decision on whether or not to sign on for another season in the middle of summer.
“We’d love to have him back,” Koivu said. “He’s a huge part of our team…we’ll keep our fingers crossed.”
{ 0 comments… add one now }