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 7/10/09).
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, 40, retired from the NHL after 20 seasons. Sakic, who played his entire career with the Nordiques/Avalanche franchise and captained the team for 16 years, finishes his career in eighth place all-time in points (1,641), 11th place in assists (1,016) and 14th place in goals scored (625). Sakic won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche, made 13 All-Star teams, won the Hart Trophy in 2001 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." 79//2009
Sakic is officially retiring after 20 seasons and two Stanley Cup titles. His No. 19 sweater will also be retired by the Avalanche. 07/09/2009
Advice
The 40-year-old Sakic has been the face of the franchise since the team moved to Denver in 1995. He will formally announce his retirement plans at a news conference Thursday afternoon. Known for his lethal wrist shot and precision passing, Sakic leaves with his name 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 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 7/10/09).
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.
