Avs decisions looming on 13 unrestricted free agents
Decisions looming on 13 unrestricted free agents for team
By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 11:33 p.m., May 1, 2008
Updated 12:13 a.m., May 2, 2008
Are the Avs on the right track to becoming a title contender again?
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Will Joe go? Will Jose stay? Et tu, Bruno?
Captain Joe Sakic, goalie Jose Theodore and forward Andrew Brunette are among the 13 Avalanche players who will be unrestricted free agents this summer.
Also in that group are defenseman Adam Foote and forward Peter Forsberg - two of the most popular players in franchise history - and homegrown defenseman John-Michael Liles.
After a second-round sweep at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings, Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere will have several decisions to make as he works with at least $21 million in salary-cap space.
If last year is any indication, Sakic likely will be at the top of Giguere's priority list. Sakic signed a one-year, $6.75 million deal one day after the 2006-07 season ended but said he will take his time deciding whether to return next season.
"The way it ended is very disappointing and you need some time," he said after Thursday night's season-ending 8-2 loss to the Red Wings. "I'll discuss it with my family and we'll see where we go."
Sakic, who will be 39 on July 7, missed 38 games - the most in any of his 19 NHL seasons - while recovering from hernia surgery. His 13 goals and 40 points were the fewest of his career, but he said health was not an issue at the end of the season and in the playoffs.
"It was a frustrating year with the injury and the way it ended up," he said. "I'm just going to think about it and take my time and come to a conclusion this summer."
Foote, 37, also is in the twilight of his career after completing a three-year, $13.8 million deal. He remains a physical defenseman with value on the power play, but he might have to take a pay cut if he wants to stay with the Avalanche.
"(Denver's) definitely my first choice," he said. "I'm sure we'll know more in the next couple weeks."
As for the 34-year-old Forsberg, it would be no surprise if he decides to return to life in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, instead of enduring another year of pain and torture in the NHL.
Forsberg's two-month comeback ended meekly as he sat out Game 4 on Thursday night with groin problems caused by instability with a chronically aching foot.
"I've got to totally figure out the foot problem first, and then I have to make a decision after that," he said.
Theodore looked to be a lock to return next season before being shellacked by the Red Wings in the conference semifinals, and the 34-year-old Brunette might have seen the writing on the wall when the Avalanche signed left wing Ryan Smyth to a five-year, $31.25 million deal last summer.
Liles, 27, could follow Brunette out the door. His production on the power play dipped in his fourth NHL season, and his name often came up in the weeks leading to the trade deadline in February.
Neither Liles nor Brunette were in the mood to discuss their future after the rout that ended their season.
The next few months will speak volumes.
Work to do
Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere will have his busiest summer yet. Thirteen players will become unrestricted free agents without compensation unless they are re-signed before July 1. Six players would become restricted free agents at that date as long as they have been tendered qualifying offers. The Avalanche could match any offer from another team or receive compensation in the form of draft picks.
*
Unrestricted free agents
Pos. Player 2007-08 salary
C Joe Sakic $6.75 million
G Jose Theodore $6 million
LW Peter Forsberg $5 million*
D Adam Foote $4.6 million
LW Andrew Brunette $1.6 million
D John-Michael Liles $1.4 million
D Kurt Sauer $719,000
LW Jaroslav Hlinka $600,000
C Wyatt Smith $500,000
D Jeff Jillson $500,000
G Tyler Weiman $495,000
D Jeff Finger $475,000
RW Scott Parker $475,000
*
Restricted free agents
Pos. Player 2007-08 salary
RW Marek Svatos $1.2 million
LW Wojtek Wolski $860,000
LW Brad Richardson $600,000
LW Cody McLeod $490,000
D Johnny Boychuk $475,000
LW Cody McCormick $475,000
Comments
Posted by originalsix on May 2, 2008 at 5:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No Hockey player should be called using 3 names!
Liles.
Posted by GeeTee on May 2, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
G Jose Theodore $6 million -- he's gotta go
LW Peter Forsberg $5 million* -- he's gotta go
D Adam Foote $4.6 million -- he's gotta take a pay cut
Sakic can come back as long as he wants. Use some $$ and get a REAL GOALIE and a defender (or two) who is HEALTHY and has a mean streak.
Get better coaching for the youngsters -- lots of talent on the team, but they need leadership from coaches -- not just "we played well, but we lost" for another season.
Posted by shauna827 on May 2, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jose Theodore or should we say three or more has got to go. The Avs were hoping he came from the same stock and mold that a previous Avs player was built from in Montreal. No way on this earth is he anything close to Patrick Roy.
Joel Quenneville has to go too.
Tony Granato has also got to go.
We need to look at the person calling the plays for our mistakes, and that we have to thank for this is "Q". Granted the Avs kept Minnesota from scoring and did a good job holding Marian Gaborik to nothing during the Minnesota series but come on do they have the threats and moves that Detroit has. NO, as much as I hate saying this the RedWings gave us a schooling and put on a scoring lesson for all in attendance last night. I would have been embarrassed if I was "Q' for the way we showed up or did not show up to this whole series. So saying that stupidity leads to golf season is true. Today they will be cleaning out their lockers and hitting the golf course this weekend to swing a club and not a hockey stick. Enjoy the summer boys cause you should feel somewhat ripped off by the performance that you gave in this round.
Posted by mareksvatos on May 2, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd like to see:
-a new coach
-Sakic back
-Liles back
-Foote back for $3M
-Finger or Sauer back but not both
I think the rest of the free agents will leave & Forsberg will retire. Liles could go b/c Kumiskey. I want to see Hensick, Stewart, and Richardson play a full season. I would like to see Arnason go (I can dream). I really like Brunette, but he's slow and older and this team needs to get younger and faster. I'd like to see Sakic play one more year, mentor some of the younger guys while playing under a new coach and then pass the torch to Statsny. Only thing I'm not sure about is our goalies. I really like Budaj, but I'm not sure he's a #1. Theo can go, but who do we replace him with? Tough decisions ahead for G.
First move should be to find a new coach! This summer should be exciting.
Posted by AvalancheSuck on May 2, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I appreciated that last night's game did not turn into a brawl. It was fun in the past when that happened, but really not desirable.
I was impressed by the Av's that they did not resort to that.
This is just one series, the Av's have had their day at our expense in the past but this time around injuries were to much to overcome.
I hope we see you again in the years to come. Good luck.
Posted by dietpepsi on May 2, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
did anybody notice how many wingnut fans were inside the kan? or how much LOUDER they were than our so-called local fans?
did anybody see the 8legged pus get thrown on the ice??!! was this game even in denver? having to watch VS [more on that lame broadcasting attempt of a corporation later...] whilst on business trip - i was appalled and ashamed and HEAVILY EMBARASSED to have witnessed the absolute lack of our 7th man. seems the wings had their 8th, 9th etc. on the road with them. i saw so many poser avz "fans" talking on their cell phones, sipping wine, not even standing up screaming encouragement. shame on you, avz fans. you didn't deserve a win. you let the cameras tell the world "here in Denver we like the wings!!" maybe next year anybody wearing a wings sweater gets free beer all game long!!
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