Niedermayer decision close.

Scott Niedermayer, speaking today on “NHL Live!” (a show simulcast on Sirius/XM and on the NHL Network), said he is close to making a decision about his playing future.

“It’s got to come pretty soon,” the Ducks’ captain said. “The draft and July 1 are coming closer and the team needs to move ahead with their plans.”

Niedermayer has contemplated retirement before coming back to play each of the last two seasons. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

He did not indicate if the recent decision of 40-year-old Nicklas Lidstrom to return to the Detroit Red Wings would influence his own.

“With what I’ve been through, I think I understand both sides very well,” Niedermayer said.

Brookbank re-signs for 2 years, $1.5 million. Update.

Defenseman Sheldon Brookbank has parlayed a career year into a two-year, $1.5 million contract with the Ducks. The 29-year-old will earn $700,000 in 2010-11 and $800,000 the following season for a $750,000 cap hit.

Brookbank set career highs in 2009-10 in games played (66), assists (9), points (9), plus/minus (plus-10) and penalty minutes (114). His plus/minus rating and penalty minute total were second on the team, and his eight fighting majors tied for third.

Ducks management first approached Brookbank about a possible contract extension during the second half of last season. While he considered the possibility of seeking more money as a free agent, the deciding factor was that “I was comfortable here,” he said.

“I didn’t want to get too greedy. I wanted to be somewhere I feel like I fit in. I feel like I fit in here and my wife likes it here too.”
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