Two-way respect as Selanne’s final game vs LA approaches

One team’s season will end after tonight’s game, and if it’s the Anaheim Ducks who are unable to make it to the Western Conference Final, the loss would signal the end of Teemu Selanne’s legendary career.

Selanne, who amassed 684 goals and 1,457 points over 21 seasons and 1,451 regular season games, has earned his reputation as Anaheim’s Jaime Lannister. With 52 goals and 119 points over 105 regular season games against Los Angeles, he’s the ultimate King Slayer.

And yet, there he was, accepting an orange-and-black paddleboard from Luc Robitaille and the Los Angeles Kings prior to the teams’ final meeting of the regular season on April 12.

Despite Selanne’s two goals and three points this series, Robitaille hasn’t asked for the paddleboard back.

“Not yet,” Selanne said. “I worry about that, when he’s going to call over.”

The two are quite close in several offensive rankings. Selanne ranks 11th on the all-time goal scoring list with 684 career goals, while Robitaille ranks 12th with 668. Selanne’s 255 career power play goals rank him third all time, while Robitaille ranks fifth with 247.

They’re also quite close off the ice and carry “a lot of respect” for each other, as Selanne articulated.

“Obviously we are good buddies too. What they did here for me was just so much class. It’s unbelievable. It shows that this is way bigger than hockey. That’s how it should be. We compete hard on the ice and we want to beat each other, but on the same hand, there is so much respect off the ice too.”

Just as Robitaille joined Los Angeles’ front office shortly after the conclusion of his playing career, it’s seems inevitable that Selanne will embark on his post-playing days with Anaheim’s front office in some capacity.

Given how much the two have meant to hockey in Southern California, that’s only fair.

“I think we’re both proud that we’ve these organizations for a long time. We have tried to do a lot for California hockey. That’s what’s really important for both of us. I think in the future we’re going to do more. It’s fun things to do and I think we can make a difference here. It’s important.”

Recommended reading, via Andrew Knoll of The New York Times: Beloved Rivals Endure on Ice and in the Office

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