Final Grade: Joe Sakic

Final Grade: A

Midseason Grade: A

Season Stats: 82 GP, 36 G, 64 A, 100 Pt, +2, 258 shots

Minutes: 1654 total (1^st among forwards), EV 14:29, 5:05 PP, PK 0:36, ATOI 20:10

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Splits:

1^st Half: 41 GP, 18 G, 27 A, 45 Pt, +9, 118 shots

2^nd Half: 41 GP, 18 G, 37 A, 55 Pt, -7, 140 shots

Positions: C (82 games)

Lines: 1^st line (82 games)

Linemates:

LW: Wolski (47 GP), Brunette (28), Richardson (6), Arnason (1)

RW: Brunette (47 GP), Svatos (29), Hejduk (4), Laperriere (2)

Career: Reached the 100-point mark for the 6^th time in his career and the 30-goal plateau for the 9^th time. His 64 assists were just 5 away from his career best set in 1996. Became the 11^th player to score 1,500 points in the NHL and the 17^th player to score 600 goals. Next year, should become the 11^th player to record 1,000 assists (currently he has 979).

Report: Colorado's leader both on and off the ice, and the benchmark for my grading system...37 years old, but had one of the best seasons of his career...Led the team in goals (36), assists (64), points (100), powerplay goals (16), ice time for forwards (20:10), faceoffs won (726) and so on and so on...His consistency has long been a hallmark, and he led the team in scoring in both the first half and second half…Still has excellent speed and an extraordinary wrist shot...Like other older players, I've noticed his shot has lost a bit of accuracy, but none of its velocity...His trademark play is still the wrister at full speed from the circle to the left of goalies, although he can (and does) score from anywhere…Was routinely doubleshifted on powerplays, often joining Liles as one of the point men…Not surprisingly, he led all Colorado players in average PP time (5:05 per game)…Is an excellent defender and often was the first forward back on opposing team rushes…Made a ton of great defensive plays in just those kinds of situations…Was the primary forward used in 5 on 3 penalty kills…Was easily the Avs’ best faceoff man, winning 53.1%, one of just two players over 50% for the season…Took almost 29% of Colorado faceoffs…Certainly is not a bruiser, but is a bit more physical than some people might expect…Is not afraid to go into corners or to take a hit…Despite his age, is extremely durable, having not missed a game since January of 2004 (207 straight)…Is taking more penalties overall – and more bad penalties in general – than earlier in his career…The 106 minutes he’s had the last two seasons is the biggest 2-season total of his career.

Fast Fact: The Avs won just 7 games in which Sakic was held scoreless. They were 37-20-4 when he got at least a point, and 7-11-3 when he didn't.

2007-2007 Salary: $5,750,000

2007-2008 Status: signed ($6,750,000)

Outlook: To the relief of Avalanche fans everywhere, Sakic signed a 1-year $6,750,000 contract the day after the season ended, meaning he will be back for his 16^th year as the team’s captain. As this is the first time since 1995 that the franchise has missed the playoffs, the extended offseason might be a boon to his game next year. A couple of quality offseason acquisitions to take some of the offensive load wouldn’t hurt either.