Avs' Foote experiencing some senior moments
By Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published July 1, 2008 at 3:31 p.m.
Photo by Joe Mahoney/The Rocky
Colorado is wear his family wants to be, defenseman Adam Foote said of his decision to stay with the Avalanche.
Adam Foote, who turns 37 on July 10, has become the Avalanche's oldest player.
But the defenseman is hopeful that will change with the return of Joe Sakic, who celebrates his 39th birthday three days earlier.
Foote, who has a new two-year, $6 million contract, said Tuesday he received a congratulatory phone call from Sakic, who wasted little time kidding him about his age.
"He gave me a little rip about being old there for at least another two years," Foote said by telephone from his cottage in Ontario. "We kind of teased each other back and forth. I'm going to be calling him in the next couple days. I want to respect him. I'm not going to be digging at him about what he's going to do, that's for sure. We'll have a few laughs.
"I respect what he's done and the position he's in. He's got to take as much time as he needs. I hope I'm not (going to be) the oldest on the team."
But Foote added he "got in (Sakic's) ear a little bit" at the end of last season about continuing his career.
Foote broke in with the Quebec Nordiques in 1991-92, three years after Sakic did. The two played major roles when the Avalanche won its two Stanley Cups and in 2002 when Canada captured Olympic gold.
"Joe and I have been together so long," he said. "Being back in the Olympics (in 2006) when I was gone to Columbus . . . I'll never forget, we spent the last night (in Italy) at dinner. We were sitting there, his wife and my wife, and just talking about good old times and how it would be great to have them (again).
"I hope Joe stays on board. He can play. I know he can play. I hope he grabs that feeling and gets it. My family, as soon as I signed, it was 'Joe better sign, Joe better sign.' This guy can still play and we need him. I hope he does."
Foote could have tested free agency. He made $4.6 million last season in the final year of the three-year deal he signed with the Blue Jackets in July 2005, so he accepted a significant pay cut to remain with the Avalanche.
"At the end of the year, we looked at each other, my wife and I, and we said this is where want to be," Foote said. "We just really wanted to be in Colorado. I want to finish as an Av. As corny as that may sound, I believe the Avalanche is in my blood, and I want it to be there.
"My wife and I have been pumped. We can't wipe the smile off our faces the last couple days. We're very excited."
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July 1, 2008
5:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
GJrodburner writes:
I know what Adam Foote and his wife are talking about! Every time I get back home from being out of state, and I see our border signs, I get a smile back on my face that just can't be wiped off either. There is nothing so beautiful as seeing number 52 near our goalie in a tight pitch. Adam, you remind me of a human bowling ball on some nights, and on others a loanshark out for immediate collection! If Joe can see how this team is being put together, I think he'll see that it is going to be a true skating team, but one that can do the little things in the corners to get the puck back in his hands in order for him to score too. Adam, Thank You for re-signing with us, and I look forward to a day in early June when I see you and Joe hoist Cup number 3! Number 52 hanging in the rafters has a nice ring too. Just not real soon, regardless of the contract.
July 1, 2008
7:16 p.m.
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BonBon writes:
I'm very happy he's back home where he belongs. I think his decision to stay will also influence Joe's decision to come back too. They are great friends and how can Joe retire knowing that Adam and Peter both wanted to come home? I remember when Peter signed back in Feb. He said something along the lines of coming back here to play with Joe and seeing that Footie had been signed was a great surprise.
July 1, 2008
7:24 p.m.
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portal_pyramids writes:
I love Adam Foote! Cheers to one of the great team players in our town.
July 2, 2008
6:16 a.m.
SciotoSlim writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
July 2, 2008
7:18 a.m.
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avsgurl writes:
I am very happy he has returned home. Words can not express the loss that was felt when Foote left the Avalanche. I was upset that they would let him go. He has always been a great player for the team and a wonderful guy in general. Whenever we take our kids to the practice center to watch them, Adam would always stop and sign for the kids. That goes a long way with bridging the gap between celebrity and sportsmanship. Cheers to being back where he belongs. I hope a job within the organization will follow after he puts up the skates.
July 2, 2008
9:04 p.m.
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SciotoSlim writes:
adam foote is a scumbag
July 4, 2008
9:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
GJrodburner writes:
Scumbag? Sciotoslim why such malice? Is there a true story to your opinion, or is this a delusional piece of crabbing? Where as I don't love on either the Broncs or the Aves, without reason, Adam Foote has been, in the truest form of the word, a warrior for the Aves ever since he came on board as a Nordique. I'll bite, what gives with this scumbag notion of yours towards Adam? Since your first post was removed by the staff, I'll guess that you can explain your opinion without the histronics that got your initial post blackballed. Not looking to bash, I'm just stupid enough and curious enough to read your opinion about Adam "scumbag" Foote.