Niedermayer was an unrestricted free agent after the 2004–05 NHL lockout. The Devils offered him a five-year contract worth $7.8 million per season (the maximum allowed under the new salary cap), but he decided to sign a four-year contract worth $6.75 million per season with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He signed with the Mighty Ducks because he wanted to try to win a Stanley cup with his brother Rob. Scott was named captain of the Ducks when he arrived in Anaheim.