In Niedermayer’s case, his feelings for the sport are something that many in the game question.

Hockey people weren’t surprised when Niedermayer originally hedged about returning to play this season. Some of those who’ve spent time around Niedermayer suggested his love for hockey wasn’t at a level equal to many of his contemporaries.

An NHL executive who was part of one of those Canadian championship squads that included Niedermayer noticed this unusual aspect of Niedermayer’s character. “He’s a great player, but you could see that he didn’t have the same passion for playing the game that the other guys had,” the executive said.

At the start of the season, other hockey people wondered aloud about Niedermayer’s commitment to the sport, puzzled at how someone with his talent, in the prime of his career (34 years old) and playing on the same team as his brother, could simply walk away from hockey so willingly.

“If you have to think about whether you want to play, that probably means you don’t want to play,” an NHL GM said at the time.

That raises another question of concern for the Ducks. Exactly how motivated will Niedermayer be to return to the race in midseason? This is a player who has accomplished virtually all there is to achieve between the boards, after all.

Niedermayer is the king of trophies. During his career, he won a Memorial Cup junior championship with Kamloops, three Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils and the last one as captain of the Anaheim Ducks with his brother Rob at his side and Olympic, World Cup, World Championship and World Junior Championship gold medals with Canada.

“I’ve done more than I ever thought,” Niedermayer said. “I’ve been very fortunate to play with a lot of really good players, good teammates, good friends and that’s how you have success in playoff situations — by trusting each other and wanting to play hard for each other. I’ve been in a lot of groups that have been like that and it’s obviously very rewarding to do that.”

Slideshow   Week in Sports Pictures A boxing champ celebrates, a kicker regrets, fans mourn a hero, and much more. more photos

There’s also a serious economic situation that must be addressed before Niedermayer will be permitted to suit up. The Ducks need to clear some $3 million in salary-cap space, meaning they must make a significant trade and soon. Considering that every other GM in the league is aware of this, the Ducks won’t be dealing from a position of strength and Anaheim’s roster may in fact be weakened by Niedermayer’s comeback.

How will that play within the team’s infrastructure?

In a dressing room, chemistry is an element that means nearly as much to a title run as ability. Will Niedermayer be welcomed back with open arms after basically abandoning his teammates, leaving them awash in uncertainty and costing them depth off the roster? They’re the ones who’ve been sweating and bleeding and struggling for three months whilst their captain sat at home.

Without Niedermayer, the Ducks are clearly floundering. With him, there’s no reason to believe the cohesion that so exemplified their Cup run of last spring will magically return.

MORE FROM PACIFIC (ANA, DAL, LA, PHX, SJ)

NHL suspends Stars' Neal for 2 games

NHL suspends Stars' Neal for 2 games Kings' Smyth out a while with upper body injury NHL, Glendale officials discuss Coyotes' future Opinion: Marleau still leading way for Sharks Opinion: As Kopitar's stock rises, so do Kings Opinion: Coyotes playing like a team on a mission Opinion: Credit Gretzky for making great move Vote: Will Gretzky coach again in the NHL? Opinion: Say farewell to Phoenix as a NHL market Opinion: Heatley deal could be a steal for Sharks   Add Pacific (Ana, Dal, LA, Phx, SJ) headlines to your news reader: