The Official Colorado Avalanche thread
The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has signed forward Darcy Tucker to a two-year contract.
“Darcy Tucker gives us scoring ability and a physical presence up front,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere. “He’s a fierce competitor. We like the combination of qualities he will bring to our roster.”
Tucker, 33, will begin his 13th NHL season, his first with the Avalanche. He spent his last eight with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. A veteran of 813 NHL con-*test*-('")s, the 5-10, 178-pound native of Castor, Alberta has scored 20 or more goals in four of his last five seasons and amassed 100 or more penalty minutes in three of his last five NHL campaigns.
In addition, the Avalanche announced that it has signed goaltender Andrew Raycroft to a one-year contract.
Raycroft, 28, has spent the past two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He appeared in 19 games for the Leafs last season, posting a 2-9-5 record with one shutout. The Belleville, Ontario native earned a career-high 37 wins in 2006-07, compiling a 37-25-9 record with a 2.99 goals-against average in 72 appearances.
“Andrew has played many seasons at the NHL level,” said Giguere. “His experience will be an asset to our organization.”
Boston’s fourth selection (135th overall) in the 1998 Entry Draft, Raycroft won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s rookie of the year with the Bruins in 2003-04. He was 29-18-9 in 57 games that season, finishing sixth in the NHL in GAA (2.05) and fifth in save percentage (.926).
Couple of ex-Leafs players? Hmm...
Tucker will provide the physical presence for sure. Not sold on Raycroft, though I didn't necessarily see Theodore as the long term answer there.
The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today the signing of Joe Sakic to a one-year contract.
“I am happy to announce the signing of Joe Sakic to a one-year contract,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere. “Our entire organization is very excited to have Joe back for another season. As the only captain of the Avalanche, his record of achievement speaks for itself. Having him return is great for our franchise and community, but also for the game of hockey.”
“Ultimately it came down to the fact that I still enjoy playing and competing,” said Sakic. “I’m comfortable with my conditioning and my overall health. I’m ready for the start of camp and am looking forward to the upcoming season.”
Sakic enters the 2008-09 season ranked eighth on the NHL’s all-time points list (1,629), 14th in goals (623) and 11th in assists (1006). Only four players have ever recorded more points with a single franchise: Gordie Howe (1809) and Steve Yzerman (1755) with Detroit, Mario Lemieux with Pittsburgh (1723) and Wayne Gretzky with Edmonton (1669). Sakic ranks seventh all-time in both playoff goals (84) and playoff points (188-tied), and holds the NHL record with eight postseason overtime goals.
Selected by the Quebec Nordiques in the first round (15th overall) of the 1987 Entry Draft, Sakic is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (1363), goals, assists, points, power-play goals (205), short-handed goals (32) and game-winning goals (86). He has scored 30 or more goals in a franchise-record nine different seasons and has surpassed the 20-goal mark in 17 of his 19 campaigns.
Sakic completed his 19th NHL season in 2007-08, finishing fifth on the club in scoring with 40 points (13g/27a) in 44 games. His consecutive games-played streak ended at 232 after missing 38 games following hernia surgery on Dec. 28. Sakic returned to the ice on Feb. 24, registering 18 points (6g/12a) in his final 20 games of the regular season. He continued that pace into the playoffs, recording a team-high 10 points (2g/8a) in 10 playoff games.
Due to the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week, the Avalanche organization will hold a formal press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Be sure to check back Tuesday afternoon, as ColoradoAvalanche.com will post a video of the press conference shortly after its conclusion.
This is good news. Sakic's done very well, even with advancing age.