"When scoping the Ducks' roster for trade-deadline possibilities, the question always comes up. The answer is always the same.
So let's get this out of the way first.
"Scott Niedermayer is going nowhere," general manager Bob Murray said after Tuesday's practice, about 24 hours before the NHL trade deadline at noon today. "That's the last time I'll answer that question."
Niedermayer, the team's 36-year-old captain, is the biggest name among the five Ducks due to become unrestricted free agents July 1. The group also includes forwards Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu, defenseman Sheldon Brookbank and goalie Vesa Toskala.
Last year, his first as Ducks GM, Murray traded four impending free agents on deadline day. It amounted to an on-the-fly rebuilding effort that allowed the team to qualify for the playoffs and keep most of its roster intact over the summer.
Given the amount of talent that could leave this offseason, it's been suggested that Murray might pursue a similar path at this season's deadline, but that doesn't appear to be the plan.
"I like the players in the room," he said. "I'm not going to be disappointed if I don't do anything. You try to clean up a few things and make the dressing room good."
That's a different tune from the one Murray was singing last year, and while he's in the market for a defenseman - the Ducks have kept one less than the usual seven throughout February - Brendan Mikkelson might just as easily be recalled from the American Hockey League to fit the bill.
With the team just three points back of eighth place in the standings, rebuilding is out of the question.
"We're nowhere near that," Murray said. "Whenever you have the (Ryan) Getzlafs, (Corey) Perrys, Bobby Ryans, Jonas Hiller in goal, that doesn't come into my equation - those things where you have to strip down and build by draft picks."
On top of his talented soon-to-be free agents, Murray holds a pair of first-round picks in the June entry draft, but said neither of those will be in play at the deadline. He likely made his biggest move on Jan. 31, when goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere was dealt to Toronto for Jason Blake and Toskala. "
