Stop and think about it. How many professional athletes get to retire when they want to? How many get to have that press conference and say, “I love this game—but it’s time to move on.” It’s much, much rarer than any of us really realize. The truth is that most guys never get the opportunity to CHOOSE to stop playing. Most of the time, they are either guys that can barely hang on and eventually are banished to the minors. Some guys are lucky enough to be genuine NHLers, but at some point their contract expires and no one ever offers them another contract. They just fade away during the offseason—only to have someone say, “What ever happened to that guy that played for us a few years ago? Is he still in the league?” When you stop and think about it, the guys that have the tearful press conference and call it quits on their own accord are few and far between. For every Wayne Gretzky, there are hundreds of Zarley Zalapski’s.
It’s a decision that had a lot of Avalanche fans wondering towards the end of last season—Would Burnaby Joe come back for another go-round? Wonder no more Avalanche fans—Joe Sakic is joining the exclusive “Got to Go Out On My Own” club.
The optimists said that he’d come back because he loved the game, he was still one of the best centers in the league (when healthy) and the 2010 Olympics would be held in his hometown in Vancouver. He was the face of the franchise since they moved to the Rocky Mountains and one of the best players of the decade. He was turning 40 during the offseason, but he was still a star. There were reasons for him to come back. But most importantly, he still had IT.
The naysayers were a little more objective in their analysis. Sakic has battled some pretty tough injuries over the last 2 seasons. Last year, he had a freak snow blower accident that preemptively ended his season and proved to be much more serious than any of us initially thought. He IS 40 years old, he’s been in the league for 21 years and accomplished just about everything a man can accomplish in the sport. Stanley Cups, gold medals, a Hart trophy—he’s been to the top of the mountain. Do you think a 40 year old wants to be part of a painful, time consuming rebuild? I don’t think it tarnishes his character or integrity to say that he doesn’t want to go through that again. I guess you could say it was Death by Snow Blower (at least professionally speaking).
Moving forward, what does this mean for the Avalanche? In the span of about a week, the Avs watched Ryan Smyth move to LA via trade, Ian Laperriere leave via free agency and Sakic retire. Who is going to step into the leadership role on their team?
With the GM dangling Scott Hannan (more specifically, his contract) to anyone that will take him, I sincerely doubt they want to start to build their new foundation with him in a position of power. Is Paul Stastny ready to make the jump from young gun to leader? Is current assistant captain Milan Hejduk in their long-term plans or do they plan on trading the pending unrestricted free agent as part of their rebuild (he’s an UFA after the 2009-10 season)? Do the Avs want to buy a year and give the “C” to Adam Foote? When you compare him to Chris Chelios, he really isn’t that old.
Another thing that crossed my mind after Sakic’s announcement was Matt Duchene. How much would that suck to be drafted by your favorite team so you can play alongside your idol, only for him to retire 2 weeks after you’re drafted? I know it’s not a huge deal, but still—that takes away a little bit from his fist pump when he knew he was going to be drafted by the Avs. But that brings me to my next question…
What about Super Joe’s future? Will Sakic be offered a job within the Avalanche organization? It didn’t take them long to announce that they’ll be retiring his #19 at Pepsi Center—will a plush front office job be next? It would seem like the natural progression for a guy that has been so closely associated with his franchise for over 2 decades. Just like Steve Yzerman and Luc Robitaille in recent years, Sakic just seems like he should always be part of the Avalanche organization. Then we could have a new argument: who is the better Vice President of their organization? It might not have the same ring to it: but Red Wing and Avalanche fans LOVE to argue. I just want them to have their outlet.
Watching his retirement ceremony and thinking back on his career, people are going to look back at Joe as one of the classiest players the NHL has ever seen. I know that’s a cliché, but when Red Wing fans are giving respect to a member of the Avalanche, you know he must have been a stand-up guy. Thank God they’ll remember his accomplishments and class on the ice—and not the snow blower that murdered his career.
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I am a Red Wings fan and I often wondered why Joe decided to snow blow his own snow? I mean he is a freaking millionare, why couldn’t he pay someone to do it? I thought this was what all players did? Craziness.
I also think if you get so many injuries in a short period of time and realize you are getting older. I think his body was probably telling him something and even if they weren’t nearly as severe as Stevie Y’s knee… Things happen and you have to take in account the rest of your life.
I always was a fan of Joe’s. Even if he was a member of the Avs. Him and Stevie stand alone in their dedication to one team, perseverance, and dedication to one team.