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Theodore's agent expects goalie to return next season

Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News

Published June 14, 2007 at midnight

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The agent for Jose Theodore expects the 30-year-old goalie to return to the Avalanche in 2007-08 and believes he is capable of regaining his award-winning form of five years ago.

"Yes, I do," Don Meehan said Wednesday. "His confidence is good. He'll be ready. He's going to work hard this summer. He'll be positive; he'll be back."

There has been plenty of speculation the Avalanche might buy out the remaining year of Theodore's contract. He would have to be paid $4 million - two-thirds of the $6 million he's owed - but his salary cap figure is $5.3 million, so the savings would be nominal and the Avalanche would need a replacement.

This is why general manager Francois Giguere has been suggesting a buyout isn't necessarily in the cards.

Theodore spent most of last season as Peter Budaj's backup, posting a 13-15-1 record with a 3.26 goals-against average and .891 saves percentage.

He has gone 84-92-18 since winning the Hart and Vezina Trophies with Montreal in 2001-02.

"He'll be very anxious to be back," Meehan said. "He doesn't have any problems at all about being in Denver."

But Meehan said he doesn't expect his other Avalanche client, defenseman Patrice Brisebois, to return. Brisebois, 36, missed the final 46 games because of a back injury and will be an unrestricted free agent July 1.

TURGEON RETIRING? Avalanche center Pierre Turgeon, 37, is contemplating retirement after an injury-plagued season in which he had four goals and three assists in 17 games.

"He hasn't taken his final decision yet," said Bob Sauve, Turgeon's agent. "He's gone on vacation with his family."

SIGNINGS: Forward Scott Parker and defenseman Johnny Boychuk have signed one-year contracts for the NHL minimum of $475,000.

Parker, who lives in Castle Rock, took a $100,000 cut from his 2006-07 salary.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound right wing was acquired at the Feb. 27 trading deadline from San Jose.

Parker played four seasons in Colorado and was traded to the Sharks in June 2003. He has seven goals, 14 assists and 629 penalty minutes in 283 career games; injuries limited him to 31 games during the past two seasons.

Boychuk, 23, had 10 goals, 18 assists and 125 penalty minutes in 80 games in the American Hockey League.