SAN JOSE, Calif. – A day after becoming the newest member of the San Jose Sharks,
Teemu Selanne found out he needed arthroscopic surgery on his left
knee and will be sidelined for up to two weeks. And one of the players he was traded for likely will not play again this season because of an injury.
|  | | Teemu Selanne has scored more than 100 points twice in his career. |
Selanne had surgery on Tuesday to eliminate
loose cartilage in the knee that recently has caused soreness and
minor swelling.
"This is a minor procedure," said Sharks director of pro
development Doug Wilson. "We are proactively performing this
procedure so that it is not an issue for the rest of the regular
season and playoffs. We are comfortable with Teemu having this done
and expect him to join the team in the next two weeks."
The Ducks' prolific scoring duo was broken up Monday when
Selanne, the NHL's leading goal-scorer two seasons ago, was traded
to San Jose for goalie Steve Shields, wing Jeff Friesen and a
conditional draft pick.
Selanne was not the only injured player involved in the deal, the Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday. Shields will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder later this week and likely won't play a game for the Mighty Ducks this season.
Selanne had hoped to play Wednesday at Florida and to make his home
debut Saturday against Nashville.
In five years together in Anaheim, Selanne and Paul Kariya never
came close to bringing the Stanley Cup to the West Coast for the
first time. After the blockbuster trade, Selanne will try to
accomplish that goal with Owen Nolan and the Sharks.
After Selanne heard the news early Monday morning, one of his
first calls was to Kariya. The two talked "for a long time,"
Selanne said.
"He was really shocked that this happened," Selanne said. "I
think we're going to miss each other a lot because it was a very
unique situation that two players can find a chemistry so well. I
think both of us are going to do very well without each other."
After Selanne was acquired from Winnipeg in 1996, he and Kariya
became marquee stars for the Disney-owned franchise. But their
luster faded, even while both posted impressive numbers each
season.
Anaheim advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs just
once, and the team failed to find a center who could keep up with
its talented wings.
With the trade, the Ducks freed money to begin rebuilding the
club, currently in last place in the Western Conference. The Ducks
also announced plans to trade Guy Hebert, their longtime starting
goalie and the only player remaining from the franchise's first
season.
Anaheim GM Pierre Gauthier said he wasn't worried about dealing
Selanne, whose personal charisma and elegant playing style made him
a fan favorite in Winnipeg and Anaheim.
"I believe the fans, once they see these players on the ice,
will be happy with our team going forward," Gauthier said. "It's
a huge move for this franchise with Teemu and Guy gone, but we
needed a change. It's time to look at the team going forward, not
look to the past."
Selanne, who had 26 goals and 59 points for the Ducks this
season, flew to San Jose on Monday night to meet with the Sharks'
doctors.
"I have spent all my years in the NHL with teams where the
biggest goal is to make the playoffs first," Selanne said. "This
is a different situation. Now I'm with a team that is winning and
that can go a long way in the playoffs."
The deal is a bold move for the Sharks, who slipped out of first
place in the Pacific Division last week. General manager Dean
Lombardi stayed within his division to acquire one of hockey's most
dynamic scorers well before next week's trade deadline.
"Does this make us a better team? Hopefully, it does,"
Lombardi said. "Sooner or later, if you keep getting better,
you're going to be at the top."
San Jose's offense suffered last month without injured center
Vincent Damphousse and suspended captain Nolan. The Sharks, whose
woeful power play also should be helped by Selanne, are fighting
for their first division title and winning season.
Still, the deal cost San Jose two talented players who struggled
even as the Sharks surged into contention this season. Shields lost
his starting job, while Friesen struggled to score.
Selanne, who has played in two Olympics for Finland, won the
Calder Trophy in 1993 after scoring 76 goals and 132 points -- both
NHL rookie records -- for the Winnipeg Jets.
A seven-time All-Star, Selanne was the game's MVP in 1998. He
also was the first winner of the Maurice Richard trophy, awarded to
the NHL's leading goal-scorer, after getting 47 goals in 1998-99.
The Ducks also agreed to pay $3 million of Selanne's hefty
salary over this season and the next.
Selanne, who will make $8 million this year and $9.5 million in
2001-02, becomes the Sharks' highest-paid player, but Anaheim's
payments will keep the Sharks' commitments comparable to Nolan's
salary.
The Ducks will pay $500,000 toward Selanne's salary this season,
and they will pay $1.5 million next year in addition to a $1
million prorated portion of Selanne's initial signing bonus.
Friesen is a free agent after this season, while Shields'
contract contains a club option for next year.
The Mighty Ducks also will get a second-round pick in 2003 if
the Sharks re-sign Selanne, but the pick will revert to San Jose if
Shields reaches undisclosed performance incentives.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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ALSO SEE
Shields to have shoulder surgery, miss rest of season
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Trade breakdown: Selanne to San Jose
Melrose: Sharks score with Selanne
Morganti: Trade dominoes falling fast
AUDIO VIDEO
 Sharks GM Dean Lombardi comments on Teemu Selanne's arthroscopic surgery.
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Anaheim GM Pierre Gauthier had a tough decision to make when he traded Teemu Selanne.
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