Sakic steps away after 20 years: Stoic Joe Sakic finally cracked, allowing for a rare show of emotion. Delivering a speech that had kept him up most of the night fretting, the longtime Colorado Avalanche captain broke down, his voice betraying him as he stared into a room packed with family, friends and teammates -- even the governor of the state. Sakic officially hung up his skates Thursday, ending his standout 20-year career. Try as he might, he simply couldn't get through his prepared speech without choking up. "So many great memories," Sakic said, fighting back tears. Known for his lethal wrist shot and precision passing, Sakic leaves the game among the NHL's career scoring leaders. He's eighth in points (1,641), 11th in assists (1,016) and 14th in goals (625). Sakic's No. 19 sweater will also be retired, getting raised to the Pepsi Center rafters during a ceremony at the season opener, which is not yet scheduled. It will be just the third sweater retired in the 14-year history of the Avalanche, joining Patrick Roy (33) and Ray Bourque (77). The organization also retired four sweaters when they were the Quebec Nordiques. "It is appropriate and deserving that we launch the season by honoring Joe's accomplishments," Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix said in a statement. "We can't put into words what he meant to this franchise and to our hockey fans." (Updated 07/09/2009).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 12/2/09).
Fantasy Analysis
Sakic was regarded as a quiet superstar, known for his clutch scoring -- tallying an NHL-record eight overtime goals in the playoffs -- and his class. He captured the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship in 2001, showing his true character by handing the Stanley Cup over to Bourque after winning the title and letting the longtime defenseman skate it around the ice. Over the last two years Sakic has been riddled with injuries. He missed most of the 2008-09 season with an aching back that required surgery to repair a herniated disk. He also damaged three fingers on his left hand in a snow-blower accident. Sakic tried to make his way back onto the ice before the end of the season, but his body didn't cooperate. He departs with an impressive resume. Sakic wore the captain's "C" for 16 straight seasons, making him the second-longest serving captain in league history. He guided the team to Stanley Cup titles in 1996 and 2001, won league MVP honors in 2001, was a 13-time All-Star and led Team Canada to an Olympic gold medal in 2002. "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," Sakic said. "The game has given me more than I ever dreamed of, and for that I am truly grateful." (Updated 07/09/2009).
C Joe Sakic's retirement has all but completed the changing of the Colorado Avalanche's guard. Patrick Roy retired six years ago, Peter Forsberg isn't likely to return after a one-year hiatus, and Adam Foote and Milan Hejduk, the lone remaining members of the 2001 Stanley Cup championship team, are entering the final year of their contracts. "We wish it would last forever, but that can't happen in anything, right?" Foote said. The season before the (2004-05) lockout, I remember Rob Blake, Joe and I were talking about what a great group of guys we have, what a great run we've been on, that we hoped it would last forever. It did go fast." Sakic, who retired July 9, had hoped to play one more season for the Avalanche and suit up for Canada's Olympic team in his hometown of Vancouver in February. Convinced that physical limitations would prevent him from performing at a high level, Sakic hung up his skates following a 20-season NHL career, the final 13 with the Avalanche. Sakic, who turned 40 on July 7, missed 38 games in 2007-08 to recover from surgery for a sports hernia, and he played in just 15 games last season because of a herniated disc in his back followed by a snow blower accident that damaged three fingers. "I always said to myself that if I thought I slipped and (could) not be the player that I want to be, then it was time for me to go," said Sakic, who ranks eighth all-time in NHL history for points (1,641), 11th for assists (1,016) and 14th for goals (625). Sakic scored 30 or more goals nine times, ranks seventh for playoff goals (84) and points (188), and holds the record for overtime goals in postseason play with eight. A first-round selection (15th overall) of the Quebec Nordiques in the 1987 NHL entry draft, Sakic won the Hart and Lady Byng Trophies and the Lester B. Pearson Award in 2001, and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1996. Sakic represented Canada in three Olympic Games and won a gold medal in 2002 when he was named the tournamen's most valuable pla 71/6/2009
No information available at this time.
Sakic steps away after 20 years: Stoic Joe Sakic finally cracked, allowing for a rare show of emotion. Delivering a speech that had kept him up most of the night fretting, the longtime Colorado Avalanche captain broke down, his voice betraying him as he stared into a room packed with family, friends and teammates -- even the governor of the state. Sakic officially hung up his skates Thursday, ending his standout 20-year career. Try as he might, he simply couldn't get through his prepared speech without choking up. "So many great memories," Sakic said, fighting back tears. Known for his lethal wrist shot and precision passing, Sakic leaves the game among the NHL's career scoring leaders. He's eighth in points (1,641), 11th in assists (1,016) and 14th in goals (625). Sakic's No. 19 sweater will also be retired, getting raised to the Pepsi Center rafters during a ceremony at the season opener, which is not yet scheduled. It will be just the third sweater retired in the 14-year history of the Avalanche, joining Patrick Roy (33) and Ray Bourque (77). The organization also retired four sweaters when they were the Quebec Nordiques. "It is appropriate and deserving that we launch the season by honoring Joe's accomplishments," Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix said in a statement. "We can't put into words what he meant to this franchise and to our hockey fans." (Updated 07/09/2009).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 12/2/09).
Fantasy Analysis
Sakic was regarded as a quiet superstar, known for his clutch scoring -- tallying an NHL-record eight overtime goals in the playoffs -- and his class. He captured the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship in 2001, showing his true character by handing the Stanley Cup over to Bourque after winning the title and letting the longtime defenseman skate it around the ice. Over the last two years Sakic has been riddled with injuries. He missed most of the 2008-09 season with an aching back that required surgery to repair a herniated disk. He also damaged three fingers on his left hand in a snow-blower accident. Sakic tried to make his way back onto the ice before the end of the season, but his body didn't cooperate. He departs with an impressive resume. Sakic wore the captain's "C" for 16 straight seasons, making him the second-longest serving captain in league history. He guided the team to Stanley Cup titles in 1996 and 2001, won league MVP honors in 2001, was a 13-time All-Star and led Team Canada to an Olympic gold medal in 2002. "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," Sakic said. "The game has given me more than I ever dreamed of, and for that I am truly grateful." (Updated 07/09/2009).
Between goaltending situations in flux to injuries and line changes, our Michael Hurcomb has plenty to break down in his latest Fantasy Hockey Planner.
Plenty going on in the NHL, including a few trade rumors, as owners prepare for Week 8. Our Michael Hurcomb surveys the landscape by examining all 30 teams in his latest Fantasy Planner.
