With last night’s announcement that he will miss the last two games of the season, Joe Sakic wrapped up his 20th year in the NHL. He played only 15 games in the 2008-2009 season, and has not suited up since November 28th.
As an Avalanche fan since the team moved to Colorado from Quebec, it was hard for me to imagine what Avs hockey would be like without Joe. For better or worse, this season showed us exactly what that looks like; the worst season in Avalanche history. Unfortunately, this season was a likely precursor to some rough years ahead, as Colorado takes stock of a franchise in shambles.
That being the case, coping with Joe’s absence is something of a welcome distraction. One of the most remarkable careers in NHL history played out (predominantly) right here in Colorado, and for that Avs fans should be incredibly grateful. As much as the Nordiques were a solid team when they moved here and became the Avalanche, winning a Stanley Cup immediately, another one five years later, and appearing regularly in Western Conference Championships over the team’s first ten seasons was a sight to behold. None of that would have been possible without Joe Sakic. Coaches came and went, but Sakic was the one consistent force on a perennial playoff team.
Even Patrick Roy’s stellar career pales in comparison to Super Joe’s. Not because he meant any less to the two Cup winning teams as a player. Roy was the epitome of consistent play, and his competitive nature inspired his defensemen to play up to his level. Sakic was a different kind of hockey player, though. He exemplified class and mental strength in a way that few star athletes do. And here I am, writing in the past-tense… as though Joe has already exited out the back door of the Pepsi Center for the last time… but only because I feel like he has…
After the 2007-2008 season, when Sakic missed 38 games recovering from hernia surgery, it was sill believable that he could return to form, and even drag his team up and out of pending mediocrity. He’s just not that player anymore, though. Joe may even want to return to the Avalanche, hoist them on his back, and carry them to the playoffs once more, but he simply does not have enough left in the tank.
Joe singed a one-year contract at the end of the last offseason to test the waters, and I believe it will take less than half of this offseason for him to say; 20 is enough, time to move on. Here’s hoping we can see the Old Master play one last time for Team Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics, because life without a living legend on the squad is going to look a lot like… well…
