and Exchange Commission judge about a fraudulent business operation. Bettman gave interim ownership of the team to Anaheim Ducks CEO Michael Schulman, as the Samuelis were banned from any contact with the Ducks whatsoever. Later on, the Ducks placed Todd Bertuzzi on waivers, where he failed to be claimed by any team and subsequently became an unrestricted free agent, eventually signing with the Calgary Flames. Entering the off-season, the Ducks were looking to fill the void left on the second-line center position ever since Andy McDonald was traded to St. Louis. The team opted to sign the Vancouver Canucks center Brendan Morrison to a one-year deal. More good news abounded, as Scott Niedermayer announced his return for another season. The Ducks also signed Corey Perry to a six-year contract extension. However, despite all the off-season moves, the Ducks were still in a vice cap-wise, and in turn dealt Mathieu Schneider to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for Ken Klee, Brad Larsen and minor-leaguer Chad Painchaud. Moving Schneider to Atlanta freed-up enough cap room to re-sign Teemu Selanne, who was previously signed to a professional tryout contract in the pre-season to ensure no team would send a counter offer in his direction. Veteran defenseman Sean O'Donnell was dealt to Los Angeles for a conditional third-round draft pick a few days into the pre-season in what Brian Burke called a cap-related move. After a franchise-record 6–1–1 pre-season, the Ducks opened the regular season in San Jose, taking on the Sharks in a 4–1 loss for the Ducks. Days later, the Ducks held their home opener on October 12, 2008, as they hosted a young and refreshed Phoenix Coyotes team. The Ducks dropped the game 4–2 in front of a sold-out home crowd. The Ducks struggled to start the season, going 1–5, but reversed the sluggish start with a sweep of a four-game road trip, winning games in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Columbus. The Ducks won eight of nine games from there before adversity struck. Defenseman Francois Beauchemin suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after taking a slapshot off the ankle in a game against Nashville. Days later, Brian Burke resigned from his position as general manager, handing over the reigns to right-hand man Bob Murray as the former leave to take the same position with the Toronto Maple Leafs just days later. Young forward Bobby Ryan was then called up to