Please don't go, Joe

[GLG]

Link

Now that the Avs’ season has come to a bitter conclusion, the inevitable question was once again raised: Will No. 19 be back for more?

“I’m going to take some time and think about it, obviously discuss it with my family,” Sakic said. “I haven’t made up my mind, and I’ll make it up when it’s time.”

If Thursday’s Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals was Sakic’s final game, his career came to an unceremonious end. The Red Wings completed the series sweep by thrashing the Avs, 8-2.

But prior to Thursday’s game, there was little talk of Captain Joe’s future in the Avs’ dressing room.

“He didn’t say anything to us (about retiring). I’d be the worst person to tell — I’d tell everybody,” forward Ian Laperriere said. “He’s still got a lot of hockey left in him. Hopefully for everybody in Denver, he’ll be back.”

Denver Post

Something, however, seems to have changed in the way Sakic approaches the annual review of his skills.

Maybe it was the captain missing 38 games to a hernia injury, one of those nagging maladies of middle age. Maybe it is because when the Avs rehired old buddies Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote it felt like Bruce Springsteen rounding up the E Street Band for one final tour together. Or maybe Sakic knows his days of winning the Conn Smythe Trophy are gone and they aren't coming back.

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.

And that is what seems different. A year ago, when Sakic tried to hide his hockey intentions for the 2007-08 NHL season behind the same crooked smile, I never doubted for a second he would return.

Please don't go, Joe. The game still needs you.

But if you do go, here's to you.

Sakic

[SteeleRED]

Agreed 100%. Keeping in mind he turns 39 this summer, it's probably got to be difficult to gear up to play, and maybe he's just ready to say good-bye. But the NHL could use him, and he's still skilled enough to make his team a better team.

[Sportsluvngrl86]

Sakic has always been a great player. If he does retire, good luck to him. If he doesn't, then it is ovbiously a great thing for all Av's fans.

[BulaJacket]

One of my favorite players of all-time.

He'll definately be missed once he does retire.

[Winger]

He's at the point now where he'll take one year at a time. But I'm pretty certain that he'll be back for at least one more. So the Sakic fans need not to worry. Yet. Imo.

[UcanSadaA]

Hopefully he'll back back, the heart of the Avs and an all around class act.