DENVER -- Patience paid off for the Colorado Avalanche, who signed Joe Sakic to a one-year, $6 million contract on Wednesday after he decided to play a 20th season in the NHL rather than call it a career.
"Ultimately it came down to the fact that I still enjoy playing and competing," the 39-year-old captain said in a statement released by the team. "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."
Sakic's agent, Don Baizley, said his client informed him of his decision late Tuesday. The sides had been talking over the summer, so it didn't take long to finalize the contract.
Sakic was coming off his most difficult season, having missed 38 games following hernia surgery before returning to the lineup to help the team reach the playoffs after a one-year absence.
But unlike a year ago, when he signed a one-year, $6.75 million deal on the day after the season ended, Sakic left town this spring unsure whether he had worn the blue and maroon sweater for the last time.
And general manger Francois Giguere was fine with that. He told Sakic to take as much time as he needed, even if that meant informing the team of his decision on the eve of training camp in September.
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| Joe Sakic is an 11-time NHL All-Star. (Getty Images) |
Despite the uncertainly, that approach sat well with his teammates.
"He earned the right to take his time," forward Ian Laperriere said. "He's done everything for this organization."
Sakic was drafted in 1987 and has spent his entire career with the franchise. In 1,363 career games, the Canadian has 623 goals and 1,629 points for eighth on the NHL's all-time list.
An 11-time NHL All-Star, he was voted league MVP and the Lester B. Pearson Award as the players' choice for the most outstanding player in 2001, when he helped Colorado win its second Stanley Cup.
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