Selanne might put off decision until camp

Teemu Selanne raised the possibility Friday of putting off his decision of playing a final NHL season with the Ducks until after training camp opens next week.

Selanne skated each day this week in informal workouts at Anaheim Ice and continues to maintain he wants to announce a decision before camp opens Sept. 17, saying that “it would be best for everybody.”But the winger, who is 41 and coming off an impressive 80-point season, followed that up by suggesting that he would want to test his surgically repaired left knee under high-intensity camp conditions before making a commitment for a 19th season — 13th with the franchise.

Selanne is an unrestricted free agent and would need to sign a pro tryout contract to work out with the team if he doesn’t have a deal in place by then. A Ducks spokesman said such a maneuver is easily allowable.

“I might even go (into) the first week of training camp and just go as a tryout for starters,” Selanne said. “I know I’ve got to sign something to get into camp. But I think there would be benefits for the team and myself. I don’t want to just try it and say, ‘Sorry, I can’t do it.’”

Selanne left open the possibility of deciding “maybe even after the first three days” but also noted that his knee has continued to improve after an arthroscopic procedure done in late June to clean out loose cartilage.

“It has been so good, the last month or so,” he said. “I just want to be sure. But it looks good.”

http://www.ocregister.com/sports/selanne-316494-camp-season.html