The Anaheim Ducks will find out Friday whether or not defenceman Scott Niedermayer will be joining them for the 2008-09 season.
Niedermayer's agent, Kevin Epp of Titan Sports Management told TSN on Wednesday that his client will inform general manager Brian Burke of what his future plans will be - playing out the last season of his contract or retiring.
"We hope to have an answer Friday with what he hopes to do with his future in hockey," Epp told TSN. "I couldn't say one way or the other. I think he doesn't even know somedays. I think he thinks one way, maybe retirement might be great but he also enjoys playing hockey, it has been a huge part of his life, I think he would like to continue that way."
Last month, the Ducks reportedly gave Niedermayer and soon-to-be free agent winger Teemu Selanne a draft day deadline to make their intentions on next season known.
After the Ducks' Stanley Cup win in 2007, Niedermayer contemplated retirement and did not play for the team until Dec. 16 of last season. Last season, Niedermayer played in 48 regular season games scoring eight goals with 25 points and a minus-2 rating.
"Last year was difficult, but I think last year was a different circumstance," said Epp. "You come off such a high winning a Stanley Cup, playing with your brother, you think you have reached everything you've reached and you think you just need that break and you need some time. So last year was an easy decision in the sense he needed to be away and then being away he realized how much he missed playing and being around his teammates and playing in Anaheim."
The defending champion Ducks were eliminated by the Dallas Stars in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.