Selanne Signs For $2M – What Does That Say About Alfredsson’s Loyalty?
Anaheim legend Teemu Selanne announced yesterday that he was returning to the Ducks for one more season, and has agreed to a contract for $2M.
May 12, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne (8) moves into position against the Detroit Red Wings during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
What does this say about the Ottawa Senators former captain, Daniel Alfredsson? Selanne is 43, three years older than Alfredsson. So, to compare age for age, it looks like Teemu has been pretty fairly paid, and in fact paid less over the past few years than Alfredsson, and has produced more:
| SELANNE | ||||||
| YEAR | AGE | GP | G | A | PTS | SALARY (M) |
| 08-09 | 38 | 65 | 27 | 27 | 54 | $3.25 |
| 09-10 | 39 | 54 | 27 | 21 | 48 | 2.00 |
| 10-11 | 40 | 73 | 31 | 49 | 80 | 4.50 |
| 11-12 | 41 | 82 | 26 | 40 | 66 | 4.00 |
| 12-13 | 42 | 46 | 12 | 12 | 24 | 4.50 |
| ALFREDSSON | ||||||
| YEAR | AGE | GP | G | A | PTS | SALARY (M) |
| 08-09 | 36 | 79 | 24 | 50 | 74 | $3.80 |
| 09-10 | 37 | 70 | 20 | 51 | 71 | 7.00 |
| 10-11 | 38 | 54 | 14 | 17 | 31 | 7.00 |
| 11-12 | 39 | 75 | 27 | 32 | 59 | 4.50 |
| 12-13 | 40 | 47 | 10 | 16 | 26 | 1.00 |
Selanne is showing the kind of loyalty that Senators fans expected from Alfredsson. Whether or not the promises were made about an extension the fact is that from ages 38-40, Alfredsson was paid about $12M (after losing due to pro-rated salary for the lockout) while Selanne made $9.75M, and was much more productive in terms of points per game than Alfredsson over the same age range. Also, Selanne lost more than $2M to the lockout, while Alfredsson was out about $500K, because he made a majority of his money at the front end of the contract, and Selanne still signed for less than he lost to the lockout.
May 24, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Daniel Alfredsson (11) takes the ice before game five of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 6-2 to close out the series. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
In the end, Alfredsson had his choice, as did Selanne, which was well within each of their respective rights. Selanne chose to be loyal to the franchise that he was a part of on 2 different occasions, but unlike Alfredsson, he hadn’t spent his whole career there. Selanne made the decision to take less money, on multiple contracts over the years, showing a loyalty to the team and the fan base.
We all know what Alfredsson chose and how he decided to go out.