Article Avalanche lock up defensemen Liles & Foote, Sakic undecided - The Postgame Pub

**Phistar** · 07-01-2008, 05:48 AM

The free-agent defensemen pool, already shallow to begin with, is even more so after the Colorado Avalanche locked up blueliners John-Michael Liles and veteran Adam Foote.

Joe Sakic's return is less certain.

The Avalanche are about to enter free agency not knowing if their captain who made nearly $7 million last season will return for a 20th season in the NHL or hang up his skates and start the countdown on his Hall of Fame induction.

General manager Francois Giguere, who said he last spoke to Sakic three weeks ago, isn't going to bug him for an answer but will await his call.

"The feeling I got from Joe is he needs more time. I think it's in our interests to give him the time. I think he's earned the time to make that decision and come to a place where he's 100 percent comfortable with that decision, either way," Giguere said.

"Because I think if he comes back and he's not 100 percent committed, then he's going to regret it. And if he leans toward retirement and he's not 100 percent committed, then he'll regret that, too. So, I want him to make the best decision," Giguere said.

The Avalanche announced the signings of Liles and Foote on Monday, and ESPN.com has confirmed that Liles' four-year deal will pay him an average of $4.2 million per season ($16.8 million total). Foote signed a two-year contract through the 2009-10 season.

When Foote was dealt back to Colorado by the Blue Jackets at the trade deadline, the Columbus Dispatch reported that Foote was demanding a two-year deal at $4 million a year and had turned down a two-year, $7 million offer.

The signings put pressure on teams like San Jose, New York, Atlanta and others that covet a puck-moving defenseman or physical blue-line presence. That will be good news for players such as soon-to-be free agents Brian Campbell, Wade Redden and Ron Hainsey.

Scott Burnside is the NHL writer for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3467387

Canadaleaf · 07-01-2008, 10:19 AM

think they gave foote to much he only had like 16 points last year i see sakic coming back but idk if forsberg will be playing for the avs next year

07-01-2008, 05:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Phistar Scream My Name! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 5,540 vCash: 102514 Donate PSN Gamertag: phister Rep Power: 129 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	Avalanche lock up defensemen Liles & Foote, Sakic undecided The free-agent defensemen pool, already shallow to begin with, is even more so after the Colorado Avalanche locked up blueliners John-Michael Liles and veteran Adam Foote. Joe Sakic's return is less certain. The Avalanche are about to enter free agency not knowing if their captain who made nearly $7 million last season will return for a 20th season in the NHL or hang up his skates and start the countdown on his Hall of Fame induction. General manager Francois Giguere, who said he last spoke to Sakic three weeks ago, isn't going to bug him for an answer but will await his call. "The feeling I got from Joe is he needs more time. I think it's in our interests to give him the time. I think he's earned the time to make that decision and come to a place where he's 100 percent comfortable with that decision, either way," Giguere said. "Because I think if he comes back and he's not 100 percent committed, then he's going to regret it. And if he leans toward retirement and he's not 100 percent committed, then he'll regret that, too. So, I want him to make the best decision," Giguere said. The Avalanche announced the signings of Liles and Foote on Monday, and ESPN.com has confirmed that Liles' four-year deal will pay him an average of $4.2 million per season ($16.8 million total). Foote signed a two-year contract through the 2009-10 season. When Foote was dealt back to Colorado by the Blue Jackets at the trade deadline, the Columbus Dispatch reported that Foote was demanding a two-year deal at $4 million a year and had turned down a two-year, $7 million offer. The signings put pressure on teams like San Jose, New York, Atlanta and others that covet a puck-moving defenseman or physical blue-line presence. That will be good news for players such as soon-to-be free agents Brian Campbell, Wade Redden and Ron Hainsey. Scott Burnside is the NHL writer for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3467387 __________________

07-01-2008, 10:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Canadaleaf Huge Baseball Fan! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario,Canada Posts: 68 vCash: 1398 Donate Rep Power: 2	Re: Avalanche lock up defensemen Liles & Foote, Sakic undecided think they gave foote to much he only had like 16 points last year i see sakic coming back but idk if forsberg will be playing for the avs next year __________________ Goal Line Blitz Football game ^referral link help me out but you got to play for a day(just make a player and check on him next day) to help me out, but it is a fun game so give it a try