deserved to have a starting position in the NHL. Burke ultimately made good on his promise and placed Bryzgalov on waivers, where he was acquired by the Phoenix Coyotes. The drama surrounding Scott Niedermayer finally brought positive news for the Ducks, as Burke announced his return on December 5. December 14 marked an important event in Ducks history, as Burke dealt first line center Andy McDonald to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Doug Weight, Michal Birner and a seventh-round draft pick in an attempt to clear salary cap space for Niedermayer, whereupon on December 16, Niedermayer made his return to the Ducks' lineup. The team immediately improved and reentered the playoff and Pacific Division pictures. For the 2008 NHL All-Star Game, Ryan Getzlaf and Chris Pronger were selected to participate. Later, Corey Perry and Scott Niedermayer were named as injury replacements, setting a Ducks franchise record for players representing the team at an All-Star Game, with four. The Ducks received more good news on January 28, 2008, as Teemu Selanne opted not to retire and subsequently signed a one-year contract with Anaheim. The Ducks won nine out of their first ten games with Selanne in the line-up. At the trade deadline, the Ducks acquired defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron from the New York Islanders and Jean-Sebastien Aubin from Los Angeles. With nine games to go in the regular season, Chris Pronger was suspended for the third time in an Anaheim uniform, receiving an eight-game ban for stomping on the leg of Vancouver's Ryan Kesler. The Ducks finished fourth in the Western Conference and began their defense of the Cup against Pacific Divisions rivals Dallas Stars. The Stars won the first two games, the Ducks won Game 3, and the Stars won again in Game 4. After an Anaheim win at Honda Center in Game 5, the Stars won Game 6, thus ending the Ducks' chance of a repeat Cup. 2008–09 season: More playoff success With the Ducks having a longer off-season than of the recent two seasons, they often found themselves in the middle of media headlines. Off the ice, the feud between general manager Brian Burke and former Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe heated, as once again words were thrown between both in the media. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman ordered the feud to "cease and desist". Moreover, Ducks team owner Henry Samueli was imprisoned for lying to the Securities