Avs decline options on Blake and Sakic

[KenJi]

In a move to save some money under the cap, the Colorado Avalanche have declined to pick up the 2006-07 season options on forward Joe Sakic and defenseman Rob Blake.

The Denver Post reports that the team will save roughly $700,000 in cap space this season because team payroll is based on the combined average of a player’s total contract.

Sakic and Blake signed five year deals with Colorado in 2001 with a team option for a sixth year. They would have each earned close to $7 million had the options been picked up.

Both will become unrestricted free agents on July 1, unless they sign contract extensions with the club before then.

Sakic, who was drafted 15th overall in the 1987 Entry Draft has previously stated his desire to finish his career with the Avalanche.

Their contracts are up after this season and it looks like Colorado isn't gonna resign Sakic and Blake to open up some Cap room in their payroll.

I love Joe Sakic, but without him and blake it makes colorado alot weaker offensively though they still have hedjuk and tanguay.

but no forsberg, sakic, blake and foote is a pretty huge chunk out of any team.

just thought i would post this see if anyone cares

[omega_image]

i can see why they're doing this, the want to remake the core of the team with younger players

there def will be some transition time needed before they can ever be as good as they were.

sakic on nashville would be deadly

[KenJi]

Ya no doubt eh nashville is so speedy with sakic, their skill levels goes up totally.

I wonder who will pickup blake. I say dallas might

[Grapes]

The Avalance dynasty is over.

FINALLY.

[BongMan]

bring burnaby joe home it would be nice never gonna happen though

[Goodfellow]

Avs won't do shit all for a good 3+ years if they completely get rid of their original core forsberg, sakic, blake and foote..

that would be like Canucks gettin rid of Naslund, Bert, Ohland and Jovo..... imagine! they would be nooothing

[KenJi]

^ well they will still have hedjuk and tanguay but ya basically the whole core is gone.

[stimulant j]

no need to worry in denver..

reality is no one will sign sakic or blake (who are both near the end) -- to their MAXIMUM contracts.

declining the option also means they can re-sign for less if they desire after shopping around/

thats my hope for this move by lacroix.

i cant see Sakic in any other jersey.