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Entries with the tag: joe+sakic
#19- Joe Sakic Honored
by Paul on 10/02/09 at 08:03 AM ET
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from Rick Sadowski at NHL.com,
Joe Sakic returned to the area where he has always felt the most comfortable—the ice.
But on Thursday, he stepped onto the ice to be honored by the Colorado Avalanche, who retired his No. 19 jersey and raised a banner honoring their longtime captain to the Pepsi Center rafters, joining those of Patrick Roy (No. 33) and Ray Bourque (No. 77).
“You never could imagine you’re going to have that honor, have your number raised up in the rafters – not growing up, not ever,” Sakic said following a 45-minute ceremony before the Avalanche and San Jose Sharks met in the season opener for both teams.
“To see it up there with Patrick and Ray, it’s a tremendous honor.”
continued and watch the full ceremony (42 minutes) below…
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Sakic Remembers Quebec
by Paul on 09/30/09 at 10:30 AM ET
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from Kevin Johnston at Cyberpresse (translated),
Joe Sakic did not hesitate a second when asked whether he believed that the NHL could revive Quebec. “There is no doubt in my mind that the NHL should go back to their sources in Canada, he said. There are some markets that are struggling in the United States. A hockey player loves to play in an environment that is favorable. An environment where the sport is popular.”
Many will take these comments with a grain of salt. Does the new retirement card playing politics or is it really sincere? A question for which he was well prepared: “The vast majority of players who have gone through have loved Quebec experience. I spent seven years of my life with you and I had many good times. I can never say enough about the fans who lived only for their hockey club. You know, I never heard a member of a winning team complain. There were grunts during our difficult years, but when we started up the slope, Quebec was the best place to practice our sport. It’s just a shame we could not go all the way to the people of Quebec.”
continued & thanks to a KK member for the pointer…
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Who Could Be The Next ‘Super Joe’
by Paul on 08/03/09 at 04:28 PM ET
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from Darren Eliot at Sports Illustrated,
Two of Sakic’s peers—Steve Yzerman and Joe Nieuwendyk—fall into that category as well. All three were pivots that could put the puck in the net, yet they were also equal parts puck distributors. With all three recently retired, it got me to musing about today’s top scoring threats in the middle amongst the younger players. Who are the pure scoring pivots that don’t sacrifice on assists to get theirs? Are there any pure shooters in today’s game to carry the mantle in the middle of legitimate threats to score from distance?
That last qualifier is an important distinction when considering a Sakic-type threat versus, say, a Sidney Crosby-dynamo who scores his goals through hard work and diligence in getting to the net rather than looking off a defender, getting to a spot and ripping a shot past the goaltender.
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All Joe Sakic
by Paul on 07/09/09 at 04:00 PM ET
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from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,
His voice quavering almost as soon as he reached the podium, Joe Sakic made it official today – after a distinguished 20-year career, he is retiring from the NHL
also from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,
“He’s had an outstanding, brilliant career,” Gretzky said. “He’s been a tremendous asset to the National Hockey League. He’s been a Stanley Cup champion and just as important he was a huge part of the [Olympic] gold medal in 2002.
“He was a winner. The thing about Joe is he did it with so much class and so much dignity. He is very humble, very quiet, almost shy. But when he got on the ice he was dynamic and very unselfish. The thing about Joe is that he worked hard every shift, every game.”
What they are saying about Joe Sakic and the top 10 Sakic moments below…
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The NHL Network & Joe Sakic
by Paul on 07/09/09 at 02:28 PM ET
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added 2:53pm, Watch the Sakic press conference below… Live Event!
NEW YORK/TORONTO – NHL Network will be live at 3 p.m. ET today to provide coverage of the announcement of the retirement of Joe Sakic, the long-time captain of the Colorado Avalanche. The two-hour live program will feature an in-depth look at Sakic’s 20-year NHL career and will be hosted by Dan Pollard and analyst Dave Reid, who played with Sakic on the Colorado Avalanche’s 2001 Stanley Cup winning team. Additional guests scheduled to call in to the show include Ray Bourque, Steve Yzerman and Peter Forsberg.
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Sakic Never Took A Shift Off
by Paul on 07/09/09 at 01:34 PM ET
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from John F. Molinaro of CBC Sports,
Nothing impressed me more about Joe than the sheer drive he displayed every time he took to the ice,” Marc Crawford, now coach of the Dallas Stars, told CBCSports.ca.
Crawford should know, having coached Sakic for four seasons and winning a Stanley Cup together in 1996. Calling him a natural leader, Crawford said Sakic had a great hockey mind, and understood the game better than most of his contemporaries.
“It’s funny, because I never felt I really coached him; it was more like I collaborated with him,” Crawford explained.
Possessing brilliant hockey instincts, Sakic went about his business in a workmanlike fashion, becoming one of the premier players in the NHL in the process.
Playing against him was no picnic, according to former Edmonton Oilers forward Craig Simpson.
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#19 Goes To The Rafters In Denver
by Paul on 07/09/09 at 12:37 PM ET
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DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the organization will officially retire number 19 in honor of team captain Joe Sakic.
The club will raise Sakic’s number 19 in a special ceremony prior to the start of the club’s 2009-10 season opener (game date and time to be announced).
“It is appropriate and deserving that we launch the season by honoring Joe’s accomplishments,” said Avalanche President Pierre Lacroix. “It will be a tremendous event for a very special person and hockey player. We can’t put into words what he meant to this franchise and to our hockey fans.
“Joe’s numbers and records speak for themselves. He’s been the face of the franchise for two complete decades and his impact on this team and this city cannot be overstated. By retiring number 19, we are honoring one of the finest professionals in the history of the National Hockey League and we are bidding farewell to one of the greatest individuals in pro sports.”
Sakic’s 19 will be the third sweater number to be retired in the 14-year history of the Colorado Avalanche, joining Ray Bourque (77) and Patrick Roy (33). Sakic will be the seventh player in franchise history to have his sweater number retired, as the Quebec Nordiques retired the jerseys of Peter Stastny (26), Michel Goulet (16), Marc Tardif (8) and J.C. Tremblay (3).
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Sakic Officially Retires
by Paul on 07/09/09 at 12:26 PM ET
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DENVER – Colorado Avalanche captain Joe Sakic announced today that after 20 seasons and 1,378 games with the same organization, he has played his final game in the NHL.
“After having the privilege of playing for 20 years, I’m leaving the game of hockey with nothing but great memories and a sense of accomplishment,” said Sakic. “The game has given me more than I ever dreamed of, and for that I am truly grateful.”
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Watch The Sakic Press Conference
by Paul on 07/09/09 at 09:32 AM ET
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The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club has scheduled a press conference, which will take place on Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. MT.
At this time, Avalanche captain Joe Sakic will make a special announcement regarding his hockey career.
ColoradoAvalanche.com will provide a live video stream of the press conference, so be sure to check back on Thursday.
added 2:05pm, The NHL Network will also be broadcasting the press conference.
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The Better Player- Sakic Or Yzerman?
by Paul on 07/08/09 at 04:51 PM ET
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from Adrian Dater of All Things Avs,
I’ll weigh in with my choice later, but let’s hear it from you all first.
A couple of stats:
Yzerman 3 Cups, Sakic 2.
Yzerman 1,755 points, Sakic 1,641.
Career playoff points: Sakic 188, Yzerman 185.
Postseason goals: Sakic 84, Yzerman 70.
Conn Smythe trophies: Sakic 1, Yzerman 1.
Olympic MVP awards: Sakic 1, Yzerman 0.
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Tags: Joe+Sakic, Steve+Yzerman,
Sakic Announcement
by Paul on 07/07/09 at 03:44 PM ET
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via the Colorado Avalanche, Joe Sakic will make a special announcement regarding his hockey career at 3:00pm ET on Thursday, July 9th.
Numereous speculation traveling around the web right now, but I personally feel Joe deserves and has earned the right to speak for himself. Therefore, I will not be posting any updates on this unless Sakic himself speaks on this subject.
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Yzerman Does The Right Thing
by Paul on 07/02/09 at 06:37 PM ET
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from Scott Burnside of ESPN,
One of the most curious invitees for the Canadian Olympic orientation camp is a player who doesn’t even know if he’s going to put on the blades at all this year: Joe Sakic.
But it is a measure of the respect for Sakic’s pedigree, and the integrity of Canadian Olympic executive director Steve Yzerman and Hockey Canada, that the veteran forward was extended an invitation, even though a decision on whether he will retire or not has not yet been made public.
Yzerman said he recently called Sakic and, without prying about his decision, told him he wanted Sakic at camp.
continued (story is in the left sidebar), the featured story is about the players selected to the Team Canada Orientation Camp.
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Tags: Joe+Sakic, Steve+Yzerman, Team+Canada,
Time To Retire Joe
by Paul on 06/28/09 at 09:24 AM ET
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from Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post,
It’s time to say goodbye, Joe Sakic.
This town isn’t big enough for you and Matt Duchene, an 18-year-old wunderkind the Avalanche desperately needs to be the fresh, new face of an NHL franchise whose golden reputation has turned old and gray.
When a boy who grew up idolizing a framed Sakic jersey is old enough to be counted on to save the local pro hockey team, that can be regarded as a sign it’s time for Captain Joe to go....
New Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman said he has met with Sakic and has been informed by the greatest player in team history that the decision on his future has been made, but an announcement must wait until later in the summer.
OK, we can all live with those conditions. No hurry. Sakic should be allowed to say goodbye on his own terms.
After 20 NHL seasons of service to a single hockey franchise, the Avalanche cannot really afford to have Sakic hang around any longer.
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Sakic Knows What His Plans Are
by Paul on 06/27/09 at 09:18 AM ET
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from Adrian Dater of the Denver Post,
Joe Sakic has made up his mind what he’ll do next season. But whether the Avalanche captain has decided to retire or play a 21st NHL season remains a mystery.
Avs general manager Greg Sherman said Friday night he met with Sakic recently in Denver and received word from him what his plans are. But Sherman would not say what they are, and said it could be a week or more before a public announcement is made.
The team said Sakic, who turns 40 on July 7, is going on a family vacation, and nothing will be announced until at least after he returns.
“He made his intentions clear, and in the coming weeks it will be addressed,” Sherman said.
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Morning Line
by Paul on 06/26/09 at 07:41 AM ET
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We place a lot of importance on veteran leadership, and he’s such a strong character guy. Having this conversation with Joe at one point before, he doesn’t want to be there just for what he’s done in the past. He wants to be there because he deserves it, and that’s my feeling. But even if he decides to take more time this summer to decide, I’d still like to extend an invitation to him.”
-Steve Yzerman speaking about Joe Sakic and Team Canada. More on Sakic from Adrian Dater of the Denver Post.
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Tags: Joe+Sakic, Steve+Yzerman, Team+Canada,
Sakic Won’t Return This Weekend
by Paul on 04/10/09 at 08:14 AM ET
Comments (3)
from Adrian Dater of All Things Avs, .
..But, listen, I’m probably going to choke up a little at the Joe Sakic retirement press conference - one that I expect to happen at some point soon.
I predicted all through last summer that Sakic would play this year. And I’m predicting now that Sakic will retire after this, his 20th season. And, as I’ve said before, I do hope I’m wrong. But I don’t think I will be.
Anyway, the news tonight was that Captain, our Captain, can’t play this weekend. We had all sorts of fun scenarios for this weekend.
added 8:52am, Joe Sakic was asked if he would be back this weekend, watch his response below.
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Sakic Undecided On His Future
by Paul on 04/01/09 at 03:06 PM ET
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from Adrian Dater of All Things Avs,
We might not see Joe Sakic this year after all.
The Avalanche captain and franchise icon met with the media this morning, and while saying it remains his goal to play before the season is over April 12, he isn’t sure it will happen. Citing a loss of strength in his left leg – aftereffects of back surgery to repair a herniated disc and sciatic nerve damage to the leg – Sakic said it may not be possible to fulfill his goal.
“I lost a lot of strength in my leg,” Sakic said. “I’m not too sure where we stand yet. I’m just trying to work as hard as I can to make it back. Next week is obviously going to decide a lot.”
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Are We About To See The End Of Joe Sakic?
by Paul on 03/23/09 at 08:54 AM ET
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from Terry Frei of the Denver Post,
Months after undergoing back surgery and also suffering three broken fingers and tendon damage in a losing faceoff with a snowblower, Avalanche captain Joe Sakic has started skating again....
The goal, it seems, is for him to be back in the lineup for the final few games of the regular season — which in this case means the final few games of the Avalanche’s season, period.
This all begs the question: What the heck for?…
The only reason for him to try to play again this season, even if it’s only the back-to-back home games against St. Louis and Vancouver in the final weekend, on April 11 and 12, is to wave goodbye.
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Sakic’s Goal Is To Play This Season
by Paul on 03/19/09 at 02:23 PM ET
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from Craig Stancher of ColoradoAvalanche.com,
In a welcome sight, Avalanche captain Joe Sakic was on the ice this morning before the rest of the team went through its morning skate at Pepsi Center....
While Sakic didn’t speak to reporters this morning, Avalanche head coach Tony Granato stated that his captain’s goal remains the same - to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season.
“Joe wants to play, so I’d like to see Joe, obviously, get in good enough shape and feel good enough to get back on the ice in a game,” said Granato. “That’s been his goal since the injury. It was great to see him out on the ice.”
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Sakic Hopes To Return This Season
by Paul on 02/19/09 at 02:18 PM ET
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from Craig Stancher at ColoradAvalanche.com,
Sakic - who underwent successful surgery for a herniated disc on Jan. 7 - spoke on a wide range of topics Thursday, including his back injury, the status of his rehabilitation and his drive to get back on the ice.
“We just started rehab this week, so we’re just working on stability right now. After surgery, we haven’t been able to do anything for about six weeks,” said the 20-year NHL veteran. “Just a lot of rest and making sure you don’t move around too much. We just started, but things are progressing.”
While there is no definitive timeline for his return, Sakic’s ultimate goal is to get back on the ice before the end of the 2008-09 campaign.
“For now, it’s still too early for a timetable. I definitely want to be back sometime near the end of the year, give or take a couple of weeks,” said Sakic. “I’m not too sure right now, but as long as rehab keeps working and my back does fine and progresses, hopefully it will be by the end of the year.”
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Sakic Recovering From Back Surgery
by Paul on 01/07/09 at 06:43 PM ET
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DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that captain Joe Sakic underwent successful surgery for a herniated disc and is expected to be out approximately 10 weeks.
“After weeks of rehabilitation, it was determined that surgery was the safest path to a complete recovery,” said Avalanche Team Physician Andrew Parker. “This was our best option and the surgery went as expected.”
“I understand that this was the best way for me to return to the ice, so now my focus and goal will be to get back as soon as possible to help my teammates in the final weeks of the season,” said Sakic.
The Avalanche captain will be resting at home for the next seven to 10 days recovering from this procedure
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Hand Surgery For Sakic
by Paul on 12/10/08 at 12:16 PM ET
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DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that captain Joe Sakic underwent surgery last night to repair three broken fingers and tendon damage. He is expected to miss approximately three months.
“Joe’s surgery was performed by a hand specialist,” said Avalanche Team Doctor Andy Parker. “The procedure went well and he’s expected to make a full recovery.”
The incident happened at his house yesterday afternoon involving a snow blower.
The Avalanche captain will continue to receive treatment for the herniated disc in his back while he recovers from the surgery.
added 1:35pm, from Adrian Dater of All Things Avs,
Avalanche vice president Jean Martineau said the accident happened to Sakic’s left hand, and that severe tendon damage occurred to one finger. That same finger and two others were broken.
“Basically, it’s a mistake. He’s a 39-year-old adult who made a mistake,” Martineau said. “He put his hand where he should not have put it. He’s, in a way, lucky. He’ll have a full recovery.”
Martineau said he visited Sakic in an unidentified hospital this morning, and that he was “very upset with himself.”
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
Sakic & Foote Hurting, Season May Be Over For Avs
by Paul on 11/29/08 at 03:48 PM ET
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from Adrian Dater of All Things Avs,
The news isn’t good from the Avalanche’s morning skate: Sakic won’t play tonight against Tampa Bay, and his status is now listed as “indefinite.” We could be in the throes of a sad end to No. 19’s brilliant career. One last “clean” in the weight room - one last clean that he said he wasn’t even going to do, but said he did anyway in a kind of “what the heck?” manner - has hijacked Sakic’s and the Avs’ season....
It’s not a good situation, and this, I believe, will sink this listing Avs team for good this year. This team just doesn’t believe in itself, doesn’t have enough passion and - from what I have witnessed - doesn’t have the close kind of chemistry of the last few teams....
Here’s the other news from the skate: Adam Foote has been placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Nov. 22. Former DU defenseman Aaron MacKenzie has been recalled from Lake Erie and will be available tonight (although probably won’t be in the lineup).
Foote’s upper back (neck) is still bothering him, and this mysterious knee injury has also crept into the situation. Injuries like these are what can happen when a
stiff, no-talent, cheap-shot artistforward like John Zeiler runs you from behind.
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Tags: Adam+Foote, Joe+Sakic,
Sakic Out Again With Bad Back
by Paul on 11/28/08 at 09:10 PM ET
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from Adrian Dater of All Things Avs,
He took one shift - 28 seconds - before shutting it down for the day because his back was bad.
This is obviously a red-siren, MAJOR setback for Cap and the Avs. He has, in essense, missed eight of the last nine games now. He has yet to play a full game in any of the three he’s allegedly been healthy enough to play in those last nine.
This is serious. A bad back can very often mean the end of a player’s career. Knowing the Avalanche and their medical staff, I would bet the ranch that they will now shut Sakic down for at least another few games and try to get this thing cured.
more on the Avs loss to Phoenix today…
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Tests For Sakic
by Paul on 11/10/08 at 04:49 PM ET
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via the Rocky Mountain News,
Avalanche captain Joe Sakic didn’t practice today because of a sore back and is undergoing tests to determine how serious the problem is. He played the first period Saturday against Nashville after missing Thursday’s game with Minnesota. Hoping to get some sort of results later today.
Meanwhile, forward Scott Parker’s contract with the Avalanche has been terminated by the team. The “Sheriff” was assigned to the Lake Erie Monsters in the American Hockey League on Oct. 17 after being activated from the injured list—he had a concussion—but he never reported.
The Avalanche said he has become an unrestricted free agent. I’ve been trying to get in contact with his agent and with the NHL Players Association to get their take on the situation.
added 7:24pm, from the Rocky Mountain News,
The good news for the Avalanche and Joe Sakic is that no structural damage was found today during tests on the captain’s back.
Sakic is being listed as day to day. He’ll be evaluated on a daily basis, so it isn’t known if he’ll be able to play Wednesday in Vancouver.
more on the Avs…
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Tags: Joe+Sakic, Scott+Parker,
Joe Sakic Signs 1 Year Deal
by Alanah McGinley on 08/27/08 at 03:27 PM ET
Comments (3)
From the Colorado Avalanche:
The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today the signing of Joe Sakic to a one-year contract.
“I am happy to announce the signing of Joe Sakic to a one-year contract,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere. “Our entire organization is very excited to have Joe back for another season. As the only captain of the Avalanche, his record of achievement speaks for itself. Having him return is great for our franchise and community, but also for the game of hockey.”
“Ultimately it came down to the fact that I still enjoy playing and competing,” said Sakic. “I’m comfortable with my conditioning and my overall health. I’m ready for the start of camp and am looking forward to the upcoming season.”
Update 5:33pm ET:
According to Adrian Dater, Sakic’s one year deal is for $6 million.
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They’ll Be Back
by Paul on 08/20/08 at 10:25 PM ET
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from Stan Fischler at the Hockey Journal,
While Mats Sundin and Joe Sakic have kept half the civilized hockey world holding its breath over their play-or-not-to-play decision, we’ll unequivocally assert that each will return to the NHL for 2008-09. The reason is as obvious as a $6 million contract. Who’s kidding whom? These guys love the moolah – and attention – as much as Sean Avery and Alley Oop Ovechkin.
If either of them packs it in, it’ll be the upset of the half-century; roughly equivalent to the shrinking of Patrick Roy’s ego.
many more NHL bits…
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Imagine If They All Left
by Paul on 08/19/08 at 08:35 PM ET
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from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,
Mats Sundin may be getting all the ink, but he is not the only established, prominent NHL player unsure of his plans for the coming season.
Without nearly the same interest or fanfare, three of his contemporaries — Joe Sakic, Teemu Selanne and Brendan Shanahan — are all facing a similar predicament.
Call them the 4-S club, a quartet of future Hall of Famers pondering what a life without hockey might be like and not sure whether the time is right to walk away.
How dramatic would their departures be? Consider that with Jaromir Jagr shuffling off to Russia, that group represents four of the NHL’s top six active-points leaders. All, except Sundin, have won the Stanley Cup.
continued and good to see Eric back, hockey season must be getting close!
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Tags: Brendan+Shanahan, Joe+Sakic, Mats+Sundin, Teemu+Selanne,
Detective Dater
by Paul on 08/12/08 at 06:58 AM ET
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from Adrian Dater of the Denver Post,
But I’ll go on record right now and say his decision will be to come back. There are too many clues to say otherwise.
Among them: Sakic is still working out hard. If you were about to retire after two decades in the NHL, would you still want to hit the gym every morning, or might you want to tip back a few every afternoon on the 19th hole?
When he talks to teammates, he’s still using the word “we,” not “them.” True, Gordie Howe still refers to the Red Wings as “we” when he talks about them, but that didn’t happen for at least a decade after he left Detroit and played in Houston and Hartford.
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
Sakic Will Make Decision Soon (I Hope So)
by Paul on 08/11/08 at 02:04 PM ET
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from CBC,
Colorado Avalanche star Joe Sakic told a Denver radio station on Monday that it has been difficult deciding whether to return for a 20th NHL season, and he will make up his mind soon.
“I will say I don’t want this to linger too much longer. I should make my final decision pretty soon,” Sakic told radio station KJCD. “Whatever that is, I want to make sure it’s 100 per cent sure."…
“At the end of the year, to be honest with you, I didn’t know if I was going to come back,” he told the radio station. “I needed that time to really think about my future. It was a tougher decision than I thought it was going to be at the end of the year.”
added 2:12pm, more from Sakic…
from Terry Frei of the Denver Post,
“It’s just how I feel,” he said. “At the end of the year, to be honest with you, I didn’t know if I was going to come back. I needed that time to really think about my future. It was a tougher decision than I thought it was going to be at the end of the year. . . It’s all about whether I feel I’m ready to go another year. That’s the biggest thing for me: Am I prepared to do what it takes to be successful for another year. I know how much time you have to put in off the ice because playing hockey is the easy part.”
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
Sakic Still Undecided About Return
by Paul on 07/11/08 at 06:59 AM ET
Comments (1)
from Sam Adams of the Rocky Mountain News,
After Sakic and I made a 572-yard walk together up the 18th fairway at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course on Thursday, he didn’t have an answer for me.
“I wish I had an answer to give. At the end of the day, it’s how I feel, if I want to do another year or not,” the Avalanche captain said during his round of play in the celebrity tourney....
I came here believing Sakic would call it a career. But being around him briefly Thursday, and hearing him use the term “we” several times, it sounded as if Sakic has more than a Favre-like itch to return.
“Camp is not until Sept. 18, so I still have a little time to figure it out,” he said. “I’ve talked to (Avalanche general manager) Francois (Giguere) a couple of times, and we’re all good.
“Now it’s weighing the options. I just want to make sure the decision is 100 percent and you don’t go back on it. The good thing is, I still have two months....”
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
Sakic Delays Decision
by Paul on 06/24/08 at 06:47 AM ET
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from Adrian Dater of the Denver Post,
Joe Sakic has further extended the time he needs to decide whether to return to the Avalanche — and it could hamper the team’s free-agency spending plans.
Sakic “definitely will not decide by July 1,” Avalanche vice president Jean Martineau said Monday night. That is the date when NHL players can become free agents.
The Avalanche is maintaining public support for Sakic, but his indecision could hamstring the team and take it out as a possible player in the free-agent market.
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
Avs Start Contract Talks with Foote, Sauer
by Alanah McGinley on 06/12/08 at 04:59 PM ET
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From Rick Sadowski at the Rocky Mountain News,
The agents for defensemen Adam Foote and Kurt Sauer have had preliminary contract talks with the Avalanche and expect to resume discussions shortly before or during the June 20-21 NHL draft.
Foote and Sauer will be eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1.
In other not-particularly-fascinating-but-still-suggestive Avalanche news, Adrian Dater mentioned (in his Denver Post blog yesterday) that Joe Sakic has recently been spotted in a local gym. He added this note:
That has to be a good sign, right? If I had said “Joe Sakic has been seen at the all-you-can-eat Pizza Hut lunch buffet for five days straight”, that wouldn’t be such a good thing, right?
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Tags: adam+foote, joe+sakic, kurt+sauer,
Decision Time For Sakic
by Paul on 05/04/08 at 07:58 AM ET
Comments (9)
from Adrian Dater of All Things Avs,
The thing that makes me wonder a little more whether he’ll retire, though, is this: I wonder if Sakic was maybe a little scared by this last series, at how much better Datsyuk and Zetterberg were than him or anyone else up front on the Avs. They just zipped past anybody on the ice, including No. 19, and when a great player no longer feels he can dominate any opponent anymore, no matter who they are, they lose the thing inside that made them the best in the first place.
Wondering if Joe Sakic was “scared” is really hard to believe. Perhaps ‘has realized’, ‘the writing may be on the wall’, ‘looked a half-step behind’ would be a better fit, but one thing for sure, Sakic is not “scared”!
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
Come Back Joe
by Paul on 05/02/08 at 10:42 AM ET
Comments (4)
from Pierre LeBrun of Sportsnet,
For the record, Sakic told reporters again this week in Denver that he wouldn’t be making that decision until this summer. It’s obviously the kind of decision that needs time and reflection.
I think the decision has never been tougher for him. Turning 39 on July 7, Sakic knows Father Time has his finger on the buzzer. Right now he just needs a timeout to make the hardest call in his career.
The Avalanche want him back, that’s a no-brainer. The only question is whether Sakic wants to come back.
I certainly hope so. He’s one of the classiest NHL players I have ever been around in my time around the game. It’s easy to show class when times are good, but what set Sakic apart is that he exhibited it all the time. I’m too young to have been around Jean Beliveau, but I think I have an idea what it’s like to be around a player that’s so well respected.
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
This Could Be It For Sakic
by Paul on 05/01/08 at 08:14 AM ET
Comments (12)
from Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post,
Although Sakic feels blessed to have spent 19 NHL seasons with a single organization and won loyal admiration from Quebec City to Denver, his decision to stay or go must ultimately be made alone, after input and heartfelt support from family and team.
Nevertheless, every cheering, banner-waving fan in the Avalanche’s home arena must realize we are guaranteed no more than one more chance to tell Sakic what Denver thinks about a man who has done this city and his sport so very proud.
Don’t go, Joe.
If that’s the way you feel, do not hesitate to tell him so.
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
Goodbye Joe?
by Paul on 04/09/08 at 07:56 AM ET
Comments (1)
from Terry Frei of the Denver Post,
Could this be Joe Sakic’s last postseason before retirement?
Could this playoff run — however long it lasts — be the last Avalanche fans see of him in a Colorado uniform before he stands at a podium, likely wipes away a tear or two, and says it was fun while it lasted?
Sakic has always had that knack of avoiding crushing contact — not running from it, but minimizing it with deft and instinctive maneuvering. That’s one of the secrets of his longevity, resilience and long-term effectiveness.
He has the same sense of anticipation for oncoming questions.
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
Welcome Back Joe
by Paul on 02/24/08 at 04:54 PM ET
Comments (1)
from the Colorado Avalanche,
The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has activated forward Joe Sakic from the Injured Reserve list. He will be available to play in tonight’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
“You Can’t Believe It Happened”
by Paul on 02/06/08 at 09:24 AM ET
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I missed this story from February 1st…
from Roy MacGregor of the Globe and Mail,
They learned all about death here in Swift Current 21 years ago when the bus carrying the local heroes, the Broncos of the Western Hockey League, caught black ice and whipping wind in the wrong combination coming out of that very first curve, flew off the Trans-Canada and crashed, leaving four young hockey players lifeless.
And they learned it again 21 days ago when, four provinces and two time zones away, a van carrying the Phantoms, a high-school basketball team from Bathurst, N.B., slid in bad weather into a transport trailer, killing seven players and the coach’s wife.
“It hit home, that’s for sure,” says Joe Sakic, the Broncos star who survived that long-ago crash and went on to a spectacular career with the Quebec Nordiques and the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League.
read on
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
A Look At Sakic
by Paul on 02/06/08 at 08:55 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Adrian Dater of the Denver Post,
It’s possible we could soon witness the final month or two of Sakic’s marvelous career. He’s still rehabbing a serious injury, one that has made skating impossible for weeks now, and he’ll be 39 in five months. There are some around the longtime captain who hint this could be it if his body doesn’t respond.
If that is the case, just in case, get your tickets now for the Avs’ final home games. If this season is the end for Sakic, it’ll probably be a long time before we see someone of his kind again.
But if I were a betting man, I’d say we’ll see more of No. 19 beyond this year. Don’t forget: The next Winter Olympics are in his hometown of Vancouver, and Sakic would dearly love to play on one last Canadian team in front of friends and family.
more on Sakic…
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
No “Panic” Trade For Avs
by Paul on 12/29/07 at 09:10 AM ET
Comments (1)
from Pierre LeBrun of Sportsnet,
A panic trade is not in the cards for the Colorado Avalanche after losing veteran star centre Joe Sakic for eight-to-12 weeks following his hernia surgery.
“Anytime you lose a good player it’s a blow but every team goes through that,” Avalanche GM Francois Giguere told Sportsnet.ca on Friday. `"You never expect to go through an entire season without losing good players to injury. This gives other players on our team a chance to step up and show what they can do.
“So as far as making a move from the outside (a trade), we’re always looking to improve our team. But this is going to be a good chance for our youngers players to show what they have.”
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
Surgery For Sakic
by Paul on 12/27/07 at 08:31 PM ET
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via the Colorado Avalanche,
Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that Joe Sakic will undergo hernia surgery. He will be sidelined approximately eight to 12 weeks.
“Joe’s rehabilitation has not progressed as anticipated and upon further evaluation the decision has been made to perform surgery in order for him to fully recover,” said Avalanche Team Physician Andy Parker.
“After consulting with the doctors we believe this procedure will enable me to return to the lineup,” added the Avalanche captain.
added 8:38pm, link now available at the Avs website…
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Tags: Joe+Sakic,
Sakic Nearing a Milestone
by Alanah McGinley on 11/09/07 at 07:53 PM ET
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From Jim Morris at the CP (via Yahoo)
But won’t it be special to become only the 11th player in league history to reach 1,000 assists?
“We’ll see when we get there I guess,” Sakic said after a pause. “Not that many players have gotten to that. It would be a tremendous honour, obviously. I haven’t thought too much about it.”
From some players the false modestly would sound contrived. But from Sakic the words sound as honest as the work ethic he delivers each night.
more... about Sakic and the team
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Tags: colorado+avalanche, joe+sakic,
Home Sweet Home in Denver
by Alanah McGinley on 10/29/07 at 12:45 PM ET
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From Mike Chambers at the Denver Post,
Joe Sakic, the only remaining player to have competed for the Avalanche franchise when it was in Quebec, was a Nordique the last time the franchise began 5-0 at home.
That would be 13 years ago, and that’s where the Avs stand after riding Sakic’s two assists and Peter Budaj’s 21 saves in a 3-1 victory Sunday over the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center.
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Tags: colorado+avalanche, joe+sakic,
Buccigross Ponders
by Alanah McGinley on 10/16/07 at 12:41 PM ET
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John Buccigross at ESPN ponders 10 stories from the past week:
4. It’s just a fantasy, it’s not the real thing
Good exchange between Joe Sakic and The Denver Post’s Adrian Dater:Question from Dater: Do you ever hear from fantasy hockey team owners with stuff like, “You cost me a win last week” or “You won me 300 bucks”?
Answer from Sakic: Yeah, you hear from ‘em. I actually have one friend who traded me last year. He told me, too. He was like, “Sorry, had to trade you, bud.”
more... highlighted stories from Buccigross
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Tags: colorado+avalanche, joe+sakic, media,
Joe Sakic Feeds the Hungry
by Alanah McGinley on 10/16/07 at 11:58 AM ET
Comments (1)
From Adrian Dater at the Denver Post
Joe Sakic has helped give Coloradans two Stanley Cups since 1996. More important, however, Sakic and his wife, Debbie, have helped serve 8,581,248 meals to hungry people in the state since 1998. That is the exact number, according to Food Bank of the Rockies official Kristina Cordova, with the promise of many more to come.
For that and many other reasons, Sakic on Monday was given the ninth annual NHL Foundation Player Award, for recognition of his commitment and service to charities in his community. In recognition, the NHL will present a $25,000 check tonight, before the Avalanche’s game with the Calgary Flames at the Pepsi Center, to the pediatrics oncology unit at Children’s Hospital.
“Joe is probably the most sincere person I’ve ever met in my life,” Cordova said. “He’s very involved with us. He’s always asking about ways to do more. He’s always saying, ‘We’ve got to do it for the kids.’ He and Debbie have just done so much for this community. People don’t know.”
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Tags: colorado+avalanche, joe+sakic,
Smyth & Sakic Have Fun Together
by Paul on 09/14/07 at 06:06 PM ET
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from Pierre Lebrun of the CP via Yahoo,
“A dream come true - playing with a future Hall of Famer and also Andrew Brunette,” Smyth told The Canadian Press from Denver. “They threw us right together from the get-go.”
“I played with him a bit on Team Canada so I know him a little bit,” Sakic said Friday. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. Right off the bat they’re trying to set the lines and get that chemistry going to get off to a good start.”
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Tags: Joe+Sakic, Ryan+Smyth,
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