Scott-free solution

You’ll never hear Ducks GM Brian Burke say these words, but the biggest reason the team is in a salary-cap bind and short a top-line center is . . . Scott Niedermayer.

This isn’t to doubt his value as a player -- but his selfishness last season in waiting to play caused Burke to overpay Mathieu Schneider, whom he can’t get rid of. Then, because of Schneider’s salary, he had to dump Andy McDonald in order to bring back Teemu Selanne. Frankly, the Ducks haven’t been the same since.

Bottom line: Niedermayer deserves some heat for putting himself first. He should tear up his contract and take a $4-million pay cut.

Bob Kargenian

Placentia