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In case you didn't hear me yet, Alex Tanguay is ba-ack!
"We are excited to have Alex back with the organization," Avalanche executive vice president of hockey operations Joe Sakic, a former teammate, said in a statement. "He is coming off a solid season and his experience will be beneficial to our young players. Cory is a veteran defenseman who will help our back end."
Speaking of Tangs,he really wants to win, and thinks that Sakic and Roy have the power to influence the team.
A return to Colorado — where he spent the first six seasons of his NHL career and won a Stanley Cup in 2001 — thrilled the winger. The Avs may have finished below the Flames in the standings this past season, but they have a plethora of young offensive talent seemingly destined to break out.
Plus, the Avs will now be coached by his former teammate Patrick Roy, while Joe Sakic is the vice-president of hockey operations and making the hockey decisions with his fellow hall of famer.
“I think I can really help some of the young guys the Avalanche have up front and maybe who they are going to get in the draft Sunday,” Tanguay told the Denver Post. “I’m really excited to have the chance to play for Patrick and Joe. Those guys only care about winning, and I really want to win again. I’d really like to (win a Cup) one more time.”
CBC has another story up discussing Joe Sakic's take on Nathan MacKinnon.
The Avalanche front office being so up-front with the stance of MacKinnon over Jones has raised skepticism about possibly trying to drum up a trade. The Florida Panthers pick second and the Tampa Bay Lightning third.
Sakic wouldn't say how Colorado's approach is affecting trade talks, if at all.
"Obviously when you get closer to draft time, you might receive more calls. I'm not too sure," he said. "We're very happy and content with picking first, but if we get some calls, obviously we'll listen. Right now we're excited about making the first selection."
Kris Letang wants a lot of money.
Kris Letang apparently has expensive tastes, which only a club such as the Maple Leafs might ultimately be able to indulge.
In a dizzying day of negotiating that followed Wednesday’s report linking Letang and the Leafs, the Pittsburgh Penguins stretched their budget to offer around $56 million over eight years to the young Norris Trophy nominee. But Letang’s agent, Kent Hughes, said no, and multiple reports late Thursday said his counter offer to add $500,000 to the annual $7 million proposed by the Pens was also rejected.