Per the Denver Post, we won't be seeing Super Joe around again for a while---at least six weeks:
Sakic will take the time to get treatment for a herniated disc in his back. He suffered the injury early in a Nov. 28 game against the Coyotes in Phoenix. He was sent to the locker room and didn't return.
And you thought it was just a muscle strain. Not when you're a member of the Colorado Avalanche! No sir, they don't settle for minor injuries. No, when a player complains of a sprained back muscle or a twisted ankle, the crack Avalanche medical and training staff get right to work, ensuring that simple scrapes and bruises become major medical catastrophes almost overnight. Need a complete misdiagnosis? They can do that too! Prefer a career-threatening physical collapse? Coming right up!
There's really no limit to the amount of damage the Avalanche medical and training staff can wreak on a hockey player's body. It's a wonder any of those guys can still skate at all.
And, in all seriousness, I bet Super Joe is getting pretty tired of hearing the word "hernia."
Hat tip to Selanne for the heads-up.