Avalanche Captain Sakic Returns; Inks One-Year, $6M Deal

Denver, CO (AHN) - Veteran center Joe Sakic opted to return to the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday, agreeing to a one-year, $6 million deal.

The future hall of famer returns for his 20th season in the league, and 12th overall with the Avalanche franchise.

Sakic was an unrestricted free agent and kept silent on his decision to play another year after coming off a career-low 2007-08 campaign, when he posted just 13 goals and 40 points in 44 games.

The Burnaby, British Columbia, native played back-to-back complete regular seasons of 82 games before last campaign's injury-ridden stint.

In more than 1,300 career games in the NHL, Sakic has made 623 goals and 1,006 assists including 608 penalty minutes and 86 game-winners.