Avalanche Trade Rumors

"Peter Forsberg, the Avalanche's only remaining unsigned free agent, still is attempting to solve the foot problem that has been the root of his health troubles in recent seasons. "Peter still has this foot issue," Don Baizley, Forsberg's agent, said Wednesday. "He has to have that resolved before anything is going to develop on that front. There's nothing new on that score at the moment. "Peter has done some skating and he wants to play, but only if the foot is right." Swedish newspaper Expressen reported earlier this summer that Forsberg would need several months of rehabilitation for a chance to salvage his NHL career. The newspaper quoted Forsberg, 35, as saying he probably wouldn't be ..."

"Is Joe Sakic close to making an announcement concerning his future? The Avalanche captain, who has been pondering whether to return for a 20th NHL season or retire, is scheduled to hold a news conference Thursday morning at Sanctuary in Sedalia before his annual Celebrity Classic charity golf tournament. Sakic, who turned 39 last month, is an unrestricted free agent but isn't expected to field offers from any other team. The tournament benefits children's programs within the Food Bank of the Rockies nutrition network. While Sakic has been pondering whether to resume his playing career, there has been some speculation in NHL circles that the Avalanche is interested in pursuing Toronto Maple ..."

"Joe Sakic is scheduled to speak at a news conference Thursday before his charity golf tournament at Sanctuary in Sedalia, but there is no guarantee that the Avalanche captain will announce whether he will play a 20th NHL season or retire. His Winnipeg-based agent, Don Baizley, on Monday said that Sakic "still is trying to make up his mind." Baizley added, "The hang up is whether Joe's up for the task. He sets the bar pretty high and he needs to make sure he's up for the task." Sakic isn't under contract to the Avalanche and as an unrestricted free agent technically can field offers from other teams, but it isn't expected that he would consider any options other than re-signing with ..."

"Avalanche captain Joe Sakic hopes to have a decision "in the next couple of weeks" about whether he will play in 2008-09 or retire. "I needed some extra time this year," Sakic said Monday on Denver's KKFN-FM (104.3) during an interview to promote his upcoming charity golf tournament. "It's been a very, very difficult decision to make. I'm hoping to have something here in the next couple of weeks, make my final decision and go forward with it." Sakic, who missed 38 games after hernia surgery last season, said he doesn't want his choice to linger: "I should make my final decision pretty soon. Whatever that is, I want to make sure it's 100 percent sure." Unlike the Green Bay Packers, who ..."

"During a lengthy interview Monday on Denver's KKFN 104.3 FM, Avalanche captain Joe Sakic said he still hasn't decided whether to play in the 2008-09 season or retire. Appearing on The Fan to promote his upcoming charity golf tournament and "Bringing Hope to the Table" dinner, Sakic said he hoped to make a decision soon. "I needed some extra time this year," he told hosts Sandy Clough and Mike Evans. "It's been a very, very difficult decision to make. I'm hoping to have something here in the next couple of weeks, make my final decision and go forward with it." Sakic added: "I will say I don't want this to linger too much longer. I should make my final decision pretty soon. Whatever that is, ..."

"In a lengthy interview on Denver's "FM Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan" this morning, Avalanche captain Joe Sakic said he still hasn't decided whether to play in the upcoming 2008-09 season or retire. Appearing on the radio to promote his upcoming charity golf tournament and "Bringing Hope to the Table" dinner, Sakic said he hoped to make a decision soon. "I needed some extra time this year," he told hosts Sandy Clough and Mike Evans. "It's been a very, very difficult decision to make. I'm hoping to have something here in the next couple of weeks, make my final decision and go forward with it." Sakic added, "I will say I don't want this to linger too much longer. I should make my final decision ..."

"It doesn't appear Peter Forsberg will be resuming his NHL career for a while, if at all. According to a report in the Swedish newspaper Expressen, Forsberg has a muscle problem in his right foot that has been the root of his health troubles in recent seasons and he will need several months of rehabilitation for a chance to salvage his career. Forsberg became an unrestricted free agent July 1 and would prefer to re-sign with the Avalanche if he's healthy, but the report quoted him as saying he doubts he would be ready for training camp in September. Forsberg's Swedish doctor, Bertil Romanus, has mapped out a rehabilitation program that is expected to take several months."

"If you're an Avalanche fan still holding out hope Peter Forsberg will play again this coming season, don't even think about it until at least Christmas. After consulting with more doctors about his troubled right foot in his native Sweden, Forsberg was told he would need several months of rehabilitation if he wanted to have hope of playing again, a source close to the Avalanche star said. Forsberg, plagued the last few years by a bad right ankle, which also causes him other injuries such as pulled groins, has not decided to retire. He still hopes to play again this season, and his situation could unfold much as it did with the Avs last season."

"Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere touched on a lot of topics Monday, and here is a summation of the bigger news items: Goalie Jose Theodore is as good as gone, and so are Andrew Brunette, Kurt Sauer and Jeff Finger. And don't expect any big headlines from the Avs today, when at 10 a.m. MST, NHL free agency starts."

"The question facing Gainey is: What happens if Sundin doesn't agree with Gainey that Montreal and Sundin would be a perfect fit? There are other players, but this year's free-agency crop is thin at centre. There are older players like Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and Jaromir Jagr who seem unlikely to play in Montreal. The next level includes Atlanta's Bobby Holik, who has size but is clearly on the downside of his career at 36, and Vancouver's Brendan Morrison, a dependable player who lacks the size the Canadiens desire. Gainey's best Plan B may be to adopt the same philosophy as the draft and go for the best player available. That means another run at Pittsburgh's Marian Hossa."

"TSN reported Sunday night that the Avalanche has agreed to terms on new contracts for defensemen John-Michael Liles and Adam Foote, both of whom would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency Tuesday. Liles, according to the report, will receive a four-year deal valued at a little more than $4 million per season. Foote will receive a two-year, $6 million deal...The Avalanche is expected to announce the signings Monday."

"Sakic's agent, Don Baizley, said the Avalanche star was expected to return to Colorado this weekend after a trip to Europe for the wedding of teammate Marek Svatos and a visit to his parents' native Croatia. It wouldn't be the biggest upset since the Miracle on Ice if the Avalanche makes an announcement of some sort about Sakic today, but heading into the weekend, team officials were saying they expect Sakic's situation to still be unclear when the free-agency period opens. Sakic, who turns 39 next week, technically also can be an unrestricted free agent Tuesday, but the issues most likely boil down to: a) whether he will retire or give the go-ahead for Baizley to negotiate ..."

"The opening bell will sound on Canada Day Tuesday, marking the start of the NHL's free-agent season. Here's a look at some of the players who will be most coveted by NHL general managers."

"The Blue Jackets desperately need a power-play quarterback, so look for them to make attempts to sign Ottawa's Wade Redden, Colorado's John-Michael Liles, Montreal's Mark Streit or the New York Rangers' Michal Rozsival. San Jose's Brian Campbell, the top available "offensive" defenseman, could be a target, too, but he might be the most sought-after player this summer, and it's unlikely the Blue Jackets -- loads of money or not -- would be Campbell's choice. The Blue Jackets also want a big, nasty, shut-down defenseman who will make them harder to play against. Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik and Ottawa's Mike Commodore would fit the bill. Now to the other end of the ice...Look for ..."

"No hard feelings. That was the message conveyed by Andrew Brunette on Saturday when asked if he wanted to return to the Wild if it comes calling when free agency begins Tuesday. "Most definitely," said Brunette, who put together three strong seasons with the Colorado Avalanche after being cut loose by the Wild days after the 2004-05 lockout. "I have nothing but great memories in Minnesota, and it's an organization that's real close to my heart and a place where I loved to play. "I don't know what their interest level is. But if they're interested and it falls into place, if everything was comparable, if they were in range, definitely, that's one place I'd love to play." Wild ..."

"The end could be near for Joe Sakic. As in days away. Maybe Super Joe will stick around for another season, but don't be shocked if he hangs up his skates, perhaps as soon as next week. I don't have any inside information or informed sources. Given Sakic's quiet nature, I suspect the Avs" front office doesn't know what he's going to do, either. What I do know is this: He has had every chance to tell the world that he's going to return next season, but hasn't done it. That has a whole lot of people thinking he's going to walk away."

"Joe Sakic met with Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere earlier this week, and told him he is not ready to make a decision yet whether to play for a 20th NHL season. Avs vice president Jean Martineau said the team does not believe Sakic will decide in the next few days, and said it could be another week or so before he does. "We told him to take as much time as he needs," Martineau said. If Sakic, who turns 39 on July 7, decides to retire, the Avs would presumably like to know before the free agent period starts to seek a possible replacement on the open market."

"Is a deal between the Avalanche and goalie Jose Theodore imminent? Judging by the words of Theodore's agent, Don Meehan, that seems possible. "I think things could accelerate quickly," Meehan said Monday. Theodore will meet with Meehan today at the agent's Mississauga, Ontario, office to discuss what Meehan said was a contract offer by the Avalanche. "After that, I'll be getting back to the Colorado people shortly," Meehan said."

"After emerging from a five-hour NHL general managers meeting Monday at the Marriott Renaissance Center, Avalanche GM Francois Giguere said he hadn't spoken with Colorado captain Joe Sakic recently and continues to nervously await Sakic's decision on whether to return for another season. Speaking of the July 1 opening of the unrestricted free agency period, Gigure said of Sakic's choice: "I would like to know a little sooner, if possible. But I know that if I push Joe, nothing good would come out of it. I think if I push him, he's going to be saying, 'Then I won't be playing.' It's not in my interest to push him."

"At this moment, Joe is contemplating whether he should play or retire. In fact, on Sunday, he probably was contemplating a 10-foot putt. Joe brandishes a putter as he does a hockey stick. He's got the weirdest wrister in golf. Joe putts . . . He scooooores! . . . a birdie. But when he's not playing golf or hanging out with wife, Debbie, and the kids, Mitchell and twins Chase and Kamryn, or raising money for the Food Bank of the Rockies (the Sakics have been responsible for seven millions meals served) or visiting relatives in suburban Vancouver, he is contemplating his immediate future in hockey. Joe is the Avalanche. Just as John was the Broncos. There are other similarities."

"The Senators' search for a coach is heating up. League sources told Sun Media yesterday Senators GM Bryan Murray has already held face-to face interviews with Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds coach Craig Hartsburg and former Atlanta coach Bob Hartley, with more meetings planned in the next 10 days. It's believed the Senators also plan to speak with former Colorado coach Joel Quenneville, Portland coach Kevin Dineen, Kitchener's Peter DeBoer and former New Jersey coach Pat Burns."

"Curtis Leschyshyn might be a little biased. After all, Todd McLellan — the Detroit Red Wings assistant who could become the Avalanche's next coach — was in his wedding party. The former Avalanche defenseman, though, can't say enough good things about McLellan and what it would mean to the Avs if they get him. "That would be a very wise decision by the Avalanche," said Leschyshyn...If the Avs don't land McLellan, another candidate could be Portland (Maine) Pirates coach Kevin Dineen, whose team is in the AHL semifinals. Leschyshyn knows a little something about him, too, having played with him in Hartford and Carolina."

"There were some silly reactions last week when, in response to a simple question from me, Detroit assistant coach Todd McLellan — at 40, considered one of the brightest young coaching prospects in the sport who has paid his dues in major junior and minor-league pro hockey — acknowledged he would be interested in the Avs job. The entire conversation took no more than five minutes in an American Airlines Center hallway. And he did acknowledge that he can't and won't talk with any other teams until after the playoffs are over, and that he is focused on trying to be part of a Stanley Cup victory with the Red Wings...Two other possible candidates — Ron Wilson, fired at San Jose last week, ..."

"If you can't beat 'em, raid 'em. Detroit assistant coach Todd McLellan came off the ice after the Red Wings' game-morning skate Monday at the American Airlines Center and was about to step into the visiting dressing room when I, well, ambushed him. I asked McLellan, in his third season with Detroit, if he would be interested in the Colorado coaching job, vacant since the Avalanche and Joel Quenneville parted ways Friday. "I would be very interested," McLellan, 40, said several hours before the Wings beat the Dallas Stars in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals."

"Wait. I was only kidding when I suggested Patrick Roy for the coach of the Avalanche. So, I take no credit or blame if Roy gets to stand under his own jersey hanging up there in the Pepsi Center rafters, along with those two Stanley Cup banners he helped win. My suggestion was in keeping with the Avs' fondness for leafing backward through their old scrapbooks. Oh, look. There's Ray Bourque. Why not him? Or how about Adam Deadmarsh, great name. Chris Drury, old Captain Clutch, still playing, could be a player-coach. No, it is Roy, the only name that gets the blood up, causes conversation. At least someone is talking about the next Avs coach, and will as long as Roy is bobbing ..."

"Patrick Roy has discovered there is indeed life after hanging up his skates. Retiring the mask he wore while winning more than 500 games as an NHL goalie, St. Patrick has found his passion on the bench. And now he would like to be considered as the next coach of the Avalanche. "I realize this is what I want to do: coach," Roy said Saturday, during a telephone interview with The Denver Post. "I realize this is where I'm most comfortable in the game: by the ice." Although professing shock at Colorado's decision to severe ties with Joel Quenneville after three seasons, Roy has definite interest in rejoining a franchise he twice led to the Stanley Cup as a player."

"Of the two most frequently mentioned Avalanche coaching candidates so far, about the only thing Patrick Roy and Pat Burns have in common is their first name. Well, not quite. Both were on the same team in Montreal from 1988-91, with Burns as the coach and Roy as the goalie. But after that, there are vast discrepancies in their coaching resumes and overall careers in hockey. Roy, who told The Denver Post on Saturday he is interested in the Avs' vacant coaching position, has no NHL coaching experience but is generally considered the greatest goalie of all time. Burns has 1,019 games of NHL head-coaching experience, with three Jack Adams awards and one Stanley Cup — but no experience ..."

"So who could be on the list of possible Avalanche coaching candidates? Pat Burns, a three-time Jack Adams winner as NHL coach of the year, wants to get back into coaching after his successful battle with cancer and might be an aspirant for the job... Others who could be possible candidates are Joe Sacco, coach of the Avalanche's Lake Erie American Hockey League affiliate; Kevin Dineen, coach of the AHL's Portland Pirates; Avalanche assistant coach and former head coach Tony Granato; and former Colorado goalie Patrick Roy."

"Quenneville will remain under contract with the Avs until June 30, but Giguere said he would grant permission to any team that might want to hire him. One team that is expected to have interest is the Toronto Maple Leafs, who fired coach Paul Maurice Wednesday and whose interim general manager, Cliff Fletcher, gave Quenneville his first coaching job in the Toronto organization."

"Could former Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy succeed Joel Quenneville as the Avs' next head coach? With the Avs, anything is possible. Roy today told the French-Canadian television network RDS that he was surprised the Avs suddenly had a coaching vacancy, and reacted to speculation he could return to Colorado to begin an NHL coaching career. Roy, who retired in 2003 with the Avs, has coached the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League since then. Speculation has begun that he might be ready to return to the NHL with the Avs behind the bench."

"Intrigue continues to swirl around the Avalanche's head coaching situation. Joel Quenneville's contract with the Avalanche runs out June 30 and general manager Francois Giguere has yet to give him an extension or disavow speculation he might be thinking of a change. Meanwhile, the coaching job with the Toronto Maple Leafs became vacant Wednesday. That is the team Quenneville grew up idolizing in Windsor, Ontario. It was the first team he played for in the NHL and the organization he got his coaching start with in 1991. The man who hired Quenneville as an assistant with the St. John's Maple Leafs, is current Toronto general manager Cliff Fletcher...Avalanche general manager Francois ..."

"With his team broomed from the NHL playoffs, his contract with the Avalanche rapidly approaching its expiration date and no firm commitment from his boss, coach Joel Quenneville is sitting here in limbo. Is Coach Q done in Denver? Although Quenneville remains employed with the Avs through the end of June, general manager Francois Giguere steadfastly refuses to make a commitment on the team's coach for next season, with a coyness that keeps everybody guessing."

"Who is Fabian Brunnstrom and why are so many NHL teams - including the Canadiens - interested in him? Brunnstrom is back home in Sweden trying to decide where he would like to play after a whirlwind North American tour. He spent two days in Montreal, visited Detroit and Denver, and talked to people in Dallas and Toronto. He has been hailed as the best hockey player not under contract to an NHL team and has attracted a lot of attention as a 23-year-old free agent. Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey said yesterday he felt Brunnstrom has the talent to play in the NHL, but a quick look at the Swede's résumé suggests this guy poses more questions than Alex Trebek."

"When Peter Forsberg did his about-face and decided to play this season in Colorado instead of Philadelphia, the reporters who cover the Flyers breathed a sigh of relief. The Peter Forsberg who played for the Flyers was not the Forsberg we all would like to remember from the past. He was damaged goods. That's not to say he wasn't a joy to watch on the ice. He was. Many of us often wondered what it would have been like to have covered him in his prime. His skill level was remarkable. The problem was that he was out of the Flyers' lineup injured more often than he was in it...That is what happened in Philadelphia and is what happened when he returned to Colorado late this season. ..."

"Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere saw his team's season end Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings, one week after the playoff series began. Giguere, in his second year at the helm, has a busy summer ahead, with 13 potential unrestricted free agents and a coach, Joel Quenneville, who has no contract for next season. On Friday, Giguere took some time out with Post hockey reporter Adrian Dater to discuss the season and what lies ahead. Q: What can you tell us about the status of Joel Quenneville's job going forward? A: Well, I won't discuss anything specific about the coaching position or player personnel moves right now."

"On the eve of his squad's final, lopsided loss to Detroit in the playoffs, Quenneville was happy to chat about everything from weird injuries suffered by his players to a dance recital for a family member. As soon as the conversation turned to his expiring contract with the Avs, however, Quenneville abruptly clammed up. Given every opportunity to say he definitely wanted to return to the Colorado bench next season, the coach politely but firmly refused. "I don't want to talk about it," Quenneville said Wednesday, as we walked behind the glass at the team's practice rink. The silence that followed was awkward."

"Should Joe stay? Or should he go?... Whatever the reason, as Sakic insisted he has made no decision about playing again for the Avs, saying "That's something that will be decided this summer," for the first time maybe there is a hint of genuine ambivalence in his desire to keep lacing 'em up."

"There's been speculation around Denver that Joe Sakic could be retiring. Sakic, 38, had two assists in the four games against the Wings and wasn't much of a factor. "I'm going to take my time, think about it over the summer," Sakic said. "It's something, obviously, I need to make a decision on. I'll discuss it with my family and see where we go.""

"Peter Forsberg did not retire Thursday night. But unless the Avalanche star can figure out what keeps ailing his 34-year-old body, he hinted after the Avs' season ended that his brilliant but injury-plagued career will be over."

"Sources tell TSN Swedish prospect Fabian Brunnstrom is in Dallas and attended Game 3 of the Stars - San Jose Sharks Conference Semifinals with the Stars showing great interest in signing him. Brunnstrom is on a mini-North American tour, checking out the cities he is considering as potential sites to begin his NHL career. He is expected to be in Denver on Thursday for Game 4 between the Avalanche and Red Wings."

"It wouldn't be surprising if the Wild try to sign Colorado defenseman Kurt Sauer, who can become an unrestricted free agent at season's end."

"Could this be it? Could this be Joe Sakic's last postseason before retirement? Could this playoff run — however long it lasts — be the last Avalanche fans see of him in a Colorado uniform before he stands at a podium, likely wipes away a tear or two, and says it was fun while it lasted?"

"The answer continues to be: Let's wait and see. The question: Will Jose Theodore re-sign with the Avalanche? What isn't in question is that Theodore has had an excellent season for the Avs. If the NHL had a comeback player of the year award, the veteran goalie probably would win it."

"The answer continues to be: Let's wait and see. The question: Will Jose Theodore re-sign with the Avalanche? What isn't in question is that Theodore has had an excellent season for the Avs. If the NHL had a comeback player of the year award, the veteran goalie would probably win it."

"The offense would be boosted by a defenseman who can play quarterback on the power play and Sharks free agent Brian Campbell fits the bill perfectly. The veteran scored eight goals and added 54 assists splitting time with the Sabres and Sharks but is rumored to want up to $8 million per season. The Hawks are well below the salary cap. Other defensemen the Hawks could be interested in are Ottawa's Wade Redden and Colorado's John-Michael Liles."

"In his first three seasons coaching the Avalanche, Joel Quenneville got the team to the playoffs twice and missed a third by one point. Is that enough to warrant a contract extension?"

"Martin said he discussed acquiring star defenseman Brian Campbell from Buffalo with Sabres GM Darcy Regier at the trade deadline. Campbell, who was traded to San Jose instead, still can become an unrestricted free agent if unsigned by July 1... Colorado defenseman John-Michael Liles, who had six goals and 26 assists this season, also could become an unrestricted free agent."

"Kings D Rob Blake could be dealt to the Avs, although he has refused to waive his no-trade clause ... There has been talk in NHL circles that the Senators may again ask D Wade Redden if he's interested in moving. Listening to Murray lately, that seems highly doubtful. Redden killed a deal to the Sharks for D Matt Carle and a draft pick earlier this month ... The Sabres have to make a decision on D Brian Campbell, who's also set to become an unrestricted free agent."

"Contract situations complicate matters, of course, with winger Marian Hossa continuing to sound like a guy determined to get out of Atlanta either now or in the summer; and Buffalo defenseman Brian Campbell seemingly determined to at least check into the free-agent market in the summer — after seeing what it did for former teammates Chris Drury and Daniel Briere last year. He and agent Larry Kelly again turned down a Sabres offer in the past week."

"Marian Hossa. Brad Richards. Olli Jokinen. Alex Tanguay. Mats Sundin. Five forwards with spectacular star power, and all are being shopped. Rumors are running rampant, but it'll be interesting to see which players are moved by Tuesday's trade deadline."