Super Joe

As a native of Colorado I have seen the ups and downs in professional sports here is this great, proud state. We as sports fans have been privileged to grow up watching some of the greats. The Broncos had number 7, the Rockies still has Mr. Helton, and the Avalanche had Roy, and still has the Captain, Joe Sakic. As sad as it is we may have seen the last of Sakic. At the age of 37 he can still play, but Sakic is hinting at retirement. Sakic is what every professional sports player should be. He is a dieing breed. Sakic who has had a tremendous Hall of Fame career has been with one organization for 19 years. You don’t see that kind of commitment to one team very often these days. All I want for Christmas is to see Sakic return for another run at the Cup. Sure the guy is old, and he may have lost a step or two, but he still has a devastating wrist shot and he can still perform at a level where he can contribute to the team. He has not reached the point where an athlete embarrasses himself by trying to drag out his career.
I think that the Cup is a realistic goal for the Avalanche. And how awesome would it be to see one of the greats to go out on top? That would be like Elway all over again. The talent is there with Ryan Smyth, Adam Foote, John-Michael Liles, Paul Stastny, and Milan Hejduk If Sakic comes back then we would be poised for a great run. If I could tell Sakic how to end his career, I would say play through the 2010 season. That way he would most likely be able to play for the Canadian Olympic team. That would be bittersweet because the 2010 Winter Games are being held in Sakic’s hometown of Vancouver. For him to go out like that would be a storybook ending to an amazing career.
Sakic will retire soon and when that day comes there will be many tears shed throughout the hockey world. Please don’t hang up the skates just yet. Colorado needs you.