This could be the end of the line for him, but I think that it will certainly be the end of the line for him in Denver!  I think both he and the organization need to go different ways.  He could add vetern leadership to any number of teams, and Colorado needs to start fresh, which means no more Sakic, certainly no more Forsberg, no more Theo, Foote and probably Liles!  They had a nice run in Denver but I think this is the end of the line for the Avs as we knew them.  If you didn’t think the Wings-Avs rivalry was dead after the first three games of this series, it most certainly will be in the days, weeks and months to come!

Posted by Mac from Canada on 05/01/08 at 08:01 AM ET

Avalanche management would have to be idiots to push Joe Sakic out the door (must...restrain...self...not going to go there, not going to go there...).

Like Steve Yzerman, Sakic is a player that you have to appreciate and respect - even though he may play for a team you intensely dislike.

If, however, he is getting ready to retire, it wouldn’t break my heart if he did so before tonight’s game instead of after.

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 05/01/08 at 09:06 AM ET

I don’t think he’s done.  But maybe I’m just crazy optimistic.

Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 05/01/08 at 10:19 AM ET

Seeing Sakic in any other team’s jersey would be about nineteen different kinds of wrong.  Pushing him out and forcing him to play elsewhere would be beyond idiotic.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/01/08 at 11:36 AM ET

Mac,
Sakic will finish his career with the Avs whether it is this year, next, or beyond.

Posted by NHLJeff from Boston, MA on 05/01/08 at 11:48 AM ET

Joe already has said he won’t play for another team and that he plans to move into another position with the Avs when he does retire, as Steve Yzerman has done.
I’ll hate to see him leave the ice, whenever that happens (I think - hope - he’s got another year in him) but it’s good to know he’ll still be part of the organization. 
They don’t come any classier than Joe and Yzerman.

Posted by A.M. from CO on 05/01/08 at 12:17 PM ET

In no way am I saying that the Avs should or would push him out the door!  Christ, if he wanted to play another 15 years in Denver (like Cheli in Detroit) the Avs would gladly take him back.  My point is that the Avs need to rebuild and it may be years before they compete again.  Their offseason and inseason signings clearly didn’t work, so its time to head back to the drawing board!  All I’m saying is that if he only plans on playing another 1 or 2 years - if at all - he may want to do it elsewhere if he wants to lift the cup again!  Believe me, seeing Sakic in any other jersey would be beyond weird!

Posted by Mac from Canada on 05/01/08 at 02:10 PM ET

If he does plan to get involved with management what HE should do as a future investment is sign a one-year deal at relatively low $$$ and then be a rental player, luring some prospects and high draft picks back to colorado.  This way he gets a better chance of winning the cup and can help the organization in the future.  He could probably do it 2 years in a row.  Eventually they will put some kind of rule down to curtail rental players, so this is his chance to help himself and HIS team.

Posted by DrW from Detroit on 05/01/08 at 02:23 PM ET

Mac, I’ll keep this brief.

You can’t say that the Avs’ offseason and inseason signings didn’t work because every single player they signed missed at least some time to injury.  The team as a whole suffered hundreds of games lost to broken limbs, hernias, muscle tears, concussions and dislocations.  There was even an appendectomy.

Combined with a lousy, wrong-for-the-team coach, you can’t say the Avalanche made mistakes by signing the players they did.  The talent and the depth is there, they just need to stay healthy and be well-coached.  The rebuilding, player-wise, is done.

Posted by Joe on 05/01/08 at 03:35 PM ET

You can’t say that the Avs’ offseason and inseason signings didn’t work because every single player they signed missed at least some time to injury.  The team as a whole suffered hundreds of games lost to broken limbs, hernias, muscle tears, concussions and dislocations.  There was even an appendectomy.

Combined with a lousy, wrong-for-the-team coach, you can’t say the Avalanche made mistakes by signing the players they did.  The talent and the depth is there, they just need to stay healthy and be well-coached.  The rebuilding, player-wise, is done.

So, you are saying that this worked for them?  Interesting!

Posted by Mac from Canada on 05/01/08 at 06:08 PM ET

Just because he kept it brief doesn’t mean you couldn’t read it in depth

He’s saying you can’t judge the quality of the actual players signed due to some injuries and mis-coaching.

But that doesn’t mean it’s time to head back to the drawing board.

Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 05/01/08 at 06:24 PM ET

Geez...the last time I checked this was a site filled with Wings fans...I didn’t figure some Avs bashing would be received so poorly!! lol Anyway, these are just my opinions of what is going on there, and truth be told the Avs are one of the teams I enjoy watching.  I simply feel that the core of players they have - with the exception of Stastny and a couple others - are well past their prime!  I thought the Smyth and Hannan signing didn’t work out and they don’t have a reliable goalie.  I wish they’d come back and beat the Wings, however, I think it’ll be done tonight!  Enjoy the rest of the playoffs gents, I’m out!

Posted by Mac from Canada on 05/01/08 at 06:38 PM ET