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Sakic Unsure Of Return To Avalanche - August 13th, 2008

By Jordan Walters
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

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NHL training camps open in a month, and a big question in the Colorado camp will be if future Hall of Famer Joe Sakic will be there.

The Avalanche captain said this week that he still hasn't decided whether to play in the upcoming season or retire.

"I needed some extra time this year," he said. "It's been a very, very difficult decision to make. I'm hoping to have something here in the next couple of weeks, make my final decision and go forward with it."

Sakic, who turned 39 last month, played the fewest games in his career last season. He recorded 13 goals and 27 assists in 44 games, missing much of the season due to a sports hernia injury. He is among a number of likely future Hall of Famers mulling whether to come back for another NHL season. Mats Sundin, Teemu Selanne and Brendan Shanahan have yet to sign with a team.

Sakic said he has talked to Avalanche GM Francois Giguere and coach Tony Granato. They supported his decision to take time to make the correct choice.

"At the end of the year, to be honest with you, I didn't know if I was going to come back," he said.

 

Sakic said it will come down to whether he still has the competitive fire to put in all the off-the-ice work required because he'd only want to play another season if he can still be a full-time, front-line center. He also emphasized he was making his decision solely based on his own situation, and not allowing other factors — including the coaching change from Joel Quenneville to Granato and the state of the roster — to come into play.
 
"I have to be honest with my body and myself and know that if I come back, I want to come back and help the team, and help the team be successful," he said. "If I can't be that player, then I don't think it would be fair to the team or myself to play."

The Avs report for physicals on Sept. 19 with training camp starting Sept. 20.

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