Bodog Beat

At only 33, Scott Niedermayer may be retiring from hockey. (AP Images)

Everyone expected the big news in the NHL on Sunday would be the flurry of player transactions as the free-agent season opened and while there were plenty of signings and trades, the biggest announcement had to do with who may not be playing in 2007-08.

According to numerous reports, Scott Niedermayer, the four-time Stanley Cup winner, appears to be on the verge of retiring less than a month after leading the Anaheim Ducks to their first championship. The 33-year-old defenseman has played 1,053 career games and totaled 140 goals and 468 assists. Also, in 183 playoff games he has recorded 22 goals and 64 assists. He was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP when the Ducks beat the Ottawa Senators in five games to win the Stanley Cup last month.

Niedermayer also won an Olympic gold medal with Canada in 2002 and the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman. He spent the majority of his career with the New Jersey Devils, helping them to three championships. His past two seasons were with Anaheim.

If and when he does go, the hockey world will remember Niedermayer as one of the best puck-moving defensemen to ever play. Not as gifted as Bobby Orr, more reliable in his own end than Paul Coffey, Niedermayer has consistently performed at a high level throughout his 15-year career.

The Ducks were quick to find a possible replacement, signing former Detroit Red Wing rear-guard Mathieu Schneider, 38, to a two-year deal totaling $11.25 million.

Here is a complete list of NHL free-agent moves to date. For the latest NHL odds for the 2007-08 season and all other sports betting odds, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.