Hockey Trade Rumors

This is a tough goodbye to a legendary player. Every year we lose guys who will likely make the Hall of Fame. Sometimes we lose them in groups of three, four, or five. But it’s not often we lose the quality of man we are about to lose in Joe Sakic, and I have one word for him.
Thanks.

Thanks for being classy in a generation of selfish hockey players, like Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Yashin, Alex Kovalev, Eric Lindros, Chris Pronger, and others.

Thanks for being a one team guy (ya, I know, the NYR offer-sheet), in an era where guys leave their teams for more money, and more fame. An era where loyalty is a thing of the past, and the league worries most about the almighty dollar.

Thanks from Ray Bourque. You helped a well deserving man finally get his Cup, and the whole hockey world was glad. And when he finally got it, you ignored the tradition of giving the captain the first lap with the Cup. You gave it right to Ray.

Thanks for not complaining. You played every second of your career in the shadows of an inferior player. You had to listen to Peter Forsberg talk 24/7. Whether he was there or not, it was always about Peter Forsberg. But who has the overtime goals? Who was the playoff legend? Who is 8th all time in scoring. You are, Joe.

Thanks for how you played. You were quick with a bullet shot. You were as great a goal scorer as there was in the league, and you also finished with over 1000 assists.

Thanks for 2002. There is no great memory I have than of Bob Cole screaming your name after you scored your second goal of the game, securing the gold medal, and the Olympic MVP award.

Most of all, Joe Sakic. Thanks for being one of the greatest players, and people this game has ever seen. Thank you, good luck, and we’ll see you at the Hall of Fame.