Avs' Sakic could skate this week

By Aaron J. Lopez

Snowblower be damned, it looks as though Joe Sakic wants to leave hockey on his own terms.

It would be foolish to expect anything less from the longtime Avalanche captain.

Sakic’s season was derailed by a back injury in late November, and then he mangled his hand in a snowblower accident in early December. Not exactly an apropos ending to a Hall of Fame career.

Three months later, the 39-year-old center is close to returning to the ice, albeit not for a practice or a game. Avalanche coach Tony Granato said Wednesday that Sakic could start skating on his own “in the next few days.’’

“His whole intention has been to do everything he can to come back to play,’’ Granato said. “He looks good. His rehab seems to be going very well and hopefully he can continue to progress and get back in there to play.’’

Sakic’s determination to return to a team that has little chance of reaching the playoffs can be looked at in a variety of ways.

Always a true professional, Sakic would never allow himself to go about his rehab in a half-hearted manner, so it is no surprise that he continues to work himself back into shape.

That being said, it would be naïve to think Sakic has not contemplated his exit from the NHL. He is in his 20th season, and the past two have been marred by injuries – a hernia in 2007-08 and the back/hand this year.

The Avs have 11 games remaining on their schedule over the next three weeks. If Sakic starts skating on his own by, say, Saturday, it’s conceivable that he could return to the ice by April 1 at home against Phoenix.

The following game is April 5 in Vancouver, which would allow Sakic to say good-bye to the fans in his hometown. After Colorado’s final road game in San Jose on April 7, the team closes the season with three games at the Pepsi Center.

Assuming – and it’s a big assumption – Sakic can stay healthy for 12 consecutive days, he would have a chance to play three home games before the retirement watch begins in earnest.

So let’s review:

Is Sakic’s determination to return a product of pride? Of course.
Should it be taken as a sign that he plans to retire, but not before one last mini-farewell tour? Highly probable.

Is it an indication he wants to return in for 2009-10, which also would give him a chance to play for Team Canada at the Winter Games in Vancouver? Less likely, but a possibility, nonetheless.

For the time being, some of the young players in Colorado’s dressing room are getting the opportunity of a lifetime. Not only are they beating the recession by collecting an NHL paycheck, they are sharing a dressing room with one of the greatest hockey players of all time.

“Having Joe around is great,’’ Granato said. “His attitude and just his charisma of being around picks everybody else up. He’s the first one in working out in the gym and he’s the last one to pull out of here. … I think that is a tremendous thing for a young guy to see.’’

The young guys better pay attention. They probably won’t see it for very long.