According to a report from TSN of Canada the Stanley Cup champions Anaheim Ducks
signed unrestricted free-agent defenseman Mathieu Schneider for a two-year contract worth $11.25 million.

The 18-year old veteran who turned 38 a month ago will earn $5.5 million this season and $5.75 million over the next one.

The Ducks surprisingly inked Schneider as insurance for an eventual Scott Niedermayer retirement as his status is still uncertain and the debating whether or not to call it quits at 33 goes on.

"Scott hasn't made a decision yet," Niedermayer's agent Kevin Epp said Sunday.

However, if Niedermayer does come back, the Ducks will have a -four blue-line also featuring Chris Pronger and Francois Beauchemin with the four defencemen earning of
total $21.15 million next season.

Schneider was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, 44th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens, being the 4th pick. He played his first NHL game a few months later when he suited up opening night at the Philadelphia Flyers. After four games, he was sent back to his junior team (Cornwall Royals) for the rest of the season.

Schneider joined the NHL for good in the 1990-91 season. Two years later, he won the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens. He was traded to the New York Islanders in April 1994 and his journey through the NHL continued with him playing for teams like Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings.

In March 2003, Schneider was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for Sean Avery, Maxim Kuznetsov, a first round selection in the 2003 draft (eventually Jeff Tambellini), and a second round selection in 2004.

The all-time leading Jewish scorer in NHL history recorded 11 goals and 41 assists and averaged 23:35 in ice time over 68 goals last season.