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A little itty bitty line, in the middle of a NHL.com "yay, Avs" article, made me sad. I really had hoped that Sarich would regain full health, but it appears that it may not be the case. Get better soon, Sarich.
The Avalanche weren't able to re-sign unrestricted free-agent center Paul Stastny, who signed a four-year, $28 million contract with the St. Louis Blues after spending eight seasons in Colorado. Defenseman Andre Benoit left to sign a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Buffalo Sabres and the Avalanche traded right wing P.A. Parenteau to the Montreal Canadiens for center Daniel Briere. Backup goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere and defenseman Cory Sarich were expected to retire.
Speaking of NHL.com they have a Barrie article up.
Which Tyson Barrie was the real deal last season? There was the player who struggled in the first month and was sent to the minors, and then the one who returned to finish with 13 goals, the most by a Colorado Avalanche defenseman since John-Michael Liles scored 14 in 2006-07.
Barrie's emergence as an offensive force and clutch performer -- his five game-winning goals tied him for third among NHL defensemen -- was a major factor in the Avalanche's Central Division title and first Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance in four years.
Barrie, who turned 23 in July, had all of his goals and 22 of his 25 assists in the final 47 games. He averaged 18:32 in ice time for the season and his plus-17 rating was third best on the team.
Re-signing Barrie is now the Avalanche's top priority. His entry-level contract has expired and he is a restricted free agent.
Ted Kennedy is to get a statue.
Growing up in Toronto as a fan of the Maple Leafs, Brendan Shanahan just assumed Ted Kennedy’s birth name was Teeder.
He eventually learned more about Kennedy, one of the first Leafs legends to have his number retired. The former captain and five-time Stanley Cup winner — who was known by his childhood nickname — will get a posthumous honour next month when he’ll be one of the first three players to have statues unveiled in the Leafs’ new Legends Row outside Air Canada Centre.
Assault for a check during a beer league?
A 31-year-old recreational hockey player has been sentenced to 18 months' probation after a rare criminal conviction for an on-ice collision - a decision that his lawyer says has set a dangerous precedent that could chill participation in such hockey leagues.
Ontario Court Justice Diane Lahaie described the incident, which took place during an Ottawa Senior Men's Hockey League game on March 12, 2012, as a "deliberate blindside hit."
However, Patrick McCann insists his client, Gordon MacIsaac, did not intentionally hit 31-year-old Drew Casterton.
The collision broke some of Casterton's teeth, scarred his face and caused a concussion that resulted in debilitating headaches.
Gary Bettman does the Ice Bucket Challenge.