Source: Teemu Selanne expected to return to Ducks next week

Teemu Selanne celebrates in the dressing room after their 2007 Stanley Cup victory over Ottawa.

Is Teemu Selanne coming back to the Anaheim Ducks?

GM Brian Burke would not deny or confirm it, but a source in Anaheim told thehockeynews.com Selanne is expected to return to the team, perhaps as early as early as next week.

Selanne, an unrestricted free agent who has not played since last season when he helped lead Anaheim to the Stanley Cup, resumed skating on his own recently.

If he returns, he will be the second member of the team to come back after taking off part of the year.

Defenseman Scott Niedermayer considered retiring after last season, but had a change of heart and announced his plans to return to the team Dec. 5.

Selanne led Anaheim in scoring last season with 48 goals and 94 points. In 1041 career NHL games with the Ducks, Avalanche, Sharks and Jets, the “Finnish Flash” has racked up 540 goals and 1135 points.

The Ducks have been one of the NHL's hottest teams (12-5-1) since Niedermayer resumed playing Dec. 16 and have moved into fourth place in the Western Conference with 61 points, one point behind the Pacific-leading Dallas Stars.