Avs, Sakic Agree To One-year Deal Worth $5.75 Million

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The Colorado Avalanche re-signed Captain Joe Sakic to a one-year contract worth $5.75 million on Tuesday. “(I’d like to play) Two more years, maybe three, but at this stage of my career, I thought one-year deals would probably be best for both sides,” Sakic told the media.

A stipulation in the new NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement states that if a player over 35 years old retires with time still left on their contract, the salary for the remaining tenure would still be counted against the cap. Sakic will turn 37 years old next week.

Sakic is the Avalanche/Nordiques All-time franchise leader in goals (574) and points (1489). He’s also one of the NHL’s All-time greats, currently at 11th on the All-time points list, 2nd among active players, behind Steve Yzerman, and is the NHL’s all-time leader with 7 overtime goals in the playoffs. The 2006-07 season will be Sakic’s 18th year in the league, all with the Colorado Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques organization. Behind Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings, it is the longest tenure with any single team.

Sakic has been the organizations captain since 1992, and had no doubts he would return to the Avalanche for his 18th season. “The only decision I had to make was how long I would return for. My family is very much at home here, so it was important for me to remain in Colorado.”