This just in: No one interested in veteran Joe Sakic for the upcoming NHL season.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!
It's sad, but yes, it is also true; two time Stanley Cup Champion, Hart Trophy Winner, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Olympic Gold Medalist and record setting playoff scorer Joe Sakic doesn't seem to be blowing up anyone's skirt these days. It is anyone's guess why, but I guess class acts like "Captain Canada" don't interest GM's around the league these days.
To be honest though, few people are actually aware that he's a free agent, including this writer who only found out a few weeks ago. In today's NHL there's plenty of room for a guy like Joe in any team's locker room. He's the perpetual leader: he does it by example and he does it better then anyone else except maybe Mark Messier.
This past year, his twentieth or so with the Avalanche/Nordiques franchise, he recorded his record setting 16th career Game-Winning-Goal in the playoffs. What does this mean? Essentially, he's now won two of his Stanley Cups' single-handedly
Who the hell wants that on their team though? Common I want the overpaid agitator from Dallas that seems to be better at causing a scene then helping his teammates.
There is still room for a celebrated veteran like Joe, and here are a number of teams who could use him:
Vancouver Canucks: For a team that has seemingly fell off the radar of late, this would be a huge boost for them especially if they could add Mats Sundin as well. Also, seeing as he's in the twilight of his career the asking price wont be that high either. Being from Burnaby doesn't hurt either; I'm a big fan of local boys.
Ottawa Senators: No doubt the nations capital could use a little dose of the guy that won the country the gold medal in 2001, then went on to capture the Cup the same year. Put him in a locker room with Alfredsson and Smith and you've got a leadership group that could bring the Sens to the promised land.
Atlanta Thrashers: With such a young roster, a vet like Joe would help with players like Kovalchuk and Williams. Not to mention he would make that one potent first line.
Detroit Red Wings: I only say this because I'd like to see him win one more championship before he retires. Coupled with the young players and the leadership corps of vets they have, it could very well allow Detroit to repeat as champs. Think his buddy Steve would let him wear his number 19 jersey?
Buffalo Sabres: While the Sabres dropped significantly from their President's Trophy success in '07, this could be the shot in the arm they need. Sakic would undoubtedly be wearing the "C" in Buffalo and help mold players like Derek Roy into more complete players.
So, Earth to NHL GM's: get off your butts and do something constructive for a change! As a hockey purist, to discard a guy like Joe is an insult to the game and its fans. Money doesn't always buy happiness - just ask the New York Rangers.
10 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
TJ Ferguson 11 months ago
nice read, i actually didn't know sakic was still available, i figured he wasn't a free agent when i haven't seen his name go up on the signed players list at nhl.com
i wonder if they rangers have room for him...
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Ryan 11 months ago
He hasn't got any interest because teams probably know that if he comes back, it'll be with Colorado. Same with Selanne.
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Ron Knabenbauer 11 months ago
Good points, but the Avalanche wouldn't let him go anywhere else. He's the face of the franchise, his number is going to be up in the Pepsi Center rafters, and he's a shew in for the Hall of Fame. It's all about if he still wants to play. The Avs would make the biggest decision ever to let him go.
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Geoff Townsend 11 months ago
Just like those above me, a have to say that Captain Joe will remain in Colorado. No way does management let him leave, nor does he really want to. He has moved his family here and plans to stay long after retirement, despite what he said three or four years ago about retiring in Vancouver.
Good read, especially to point out what a class man Super Joe is, let alone what a class player he has been.
My only critiques: 16 GWG would only have gotten him one cup, and while you say Joe is in the twilight of his career, he won't come as cheap as you may like. Colorado has been signing him to one year deals lately and he still netted $6.75mil last year. Not too cheap for a one year deal.
May Super Joe remain our captain until his name and 19 fly high in our beloved mile high sky.
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PJ Edelman 11 months ago
I wonder if the 4 other teams that have higher salaries than the Rangers can buy happiness? Maybe Philly?
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Joe MacDonald 11 months ago
I love the idea of Joe Sakic in Ottawa, but i don't think the economics would work. And i agree with most of the other comments. If Sakic plays, and that's a big if, it will be in Colorado. Good article.
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Sean Scrivener 11 months ago
More then likely he will be playing in Colorado...but if that is the case why haven't they signed him yet? He's one of my favorite players in the NHL and it saddens me too see that no one is interested in him.
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M MacDonald Hall 11 months ago
Nice take, good to highlight one of the greats and his current "invisible" predicament. I did hear that Joe talked with F. Giguere a short while ago and that after that conversation both felt his future was very much up in the air. Who made that decision, probably Sakic himself.
Good job. My only beef (along with the 16 goals being only enough for one Cup) is that he won the gold medal in 2002 not 2001... Cup, then gold! We all knew what you meant though! Good work.
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Jordan Walsh 11 months ago
come on. the reason he hasnt had any interest was because his agent already said (on june 29th or so) that if joe did come back, the only team that it would be with is colorado.
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Tyler Durden 11 months ago
1. Just because you weren't aware he was a UFA, doesn't mean there's any chance in hell any NHL GM doesn't.
2. "There's plenty of room for a guy like Joe in any team's locker room?" Of course there is, what a ridiculous understatement. He's still a great player.
3. Detroit or Vancouver? LOL, like he's just gonna go sign with the Avs biggest rivals for no reason. Colorado has plenty of cap space, he's got friends like Smyth and Foote, and possibly Forsberg there, and he's said himself that he will either play in Colorado or retire. Not that he had to, because any semi-knowlagable hockey fan already knew this.
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