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1999-2000 Stat Leaders Stat  Leader  No.  Goals  Milan Hejduk  36  Assists  Joe Sakic  53   Points  Joe Sakic  81  +/-  Joe Sakic  30  Shots  Joe Sakic  242  Ice Time (F)  Joe Sakic  23:15  Ice Time (D)  Adam Foote  25:51  Faceoff Pct.  Joe Sakic  53.81%  Hits  Adam Foote  156  PP Pts.  Milan Hejduk  22  SH Pts.  Five tied with  1

The 1996 Stanley Cup championship seems so long ago. Once perceived as a potential dynasty, the Avs have suffered their share of playoff heartbreaks the last three years. Consider: In 1998 Edmonton rallied from a 3-1 deficit to oust Colorado in the first round. Then in '99 Dallas came out on top in a brutal Western Conference final that went the duration. And last season the Stars again upended a confident Colorado bunch in the conference finals -- in seven games.

Recent failures have dismayed general manager Pierre Lacroix, who faces tough decisions this season. Even if the corps of younger players contribute, the nucleus of the club could be broken up as early as next year. Joe Sakic, an unrestricted free agent after the 2000-01 season, may be too expensive at 31. Raymond Bourque, closing in on 40, is in his twilight. Goalie Patrick Roy turns 35 at the beginning of the season.

Lacroix may have already begun the dismantling this offseason. Streaky All-Star defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh, 28, was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes to shrink payroll. The Avs received physical blue-liner Nolan Pratt, 25, in return, but he was a horrendous minus-22 last season.

For more on the Avalanche, bookmark this page and check back Wednesday, Oct. 11 for a Sports Illustrated Scouting Report.

BRIGHT SPOTS		GRAY AREAS
By the second week of the season Patrick Roy may become the all-time winningest goalie in NHL history. He needs just three victories to tie current leader Terry Sawchuk (447). In an unrelated note, Roy is coming off his best regular season in terms of goals-against average (2.28) Forwards Chris Drury, Milan Hejduk, Alex Tanguay and D Martin Skoula are tabbed as the future of the Avalanche. Coach Bob Hartley's contract extension means one less worry for Lacroix. Even though he missed 22 games to injury, Sakic led the team in scoring with 81 points (28 goals, 53 assists). More impressive is that on Feb. 1 he had just nine goals. The Avalanche are riding the crest of an eight-game winning streak to end the regular season. What's at stake this year? The divisional crown. They've won six division titles in a row. Depth is a plus. Besides an infusion of young talent, players like Adam Deadmarsh, Jon Klemm, Aaron Miller, Shjon Podein and Stephane Yelle add needed grit and character. Coming off a season in which they had the fourth-best power play unit in the league (19.5%).		Center Joe Sakic's contract status will loom large. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2000-01 season unless Lacroix can get something done. It's hard to criticize a player of Peter Forsberg's caliber, but for $10 million a year the Avs would love to see the 27-year-old center healthy and productive for a full season. Will new owner Stan Kroenke, who admits he has limited hockey knowledge, tighten the reins on Lacroix? After the Avs bowed out of the playoffs, Lacroix snorted that "the best team didn't win," a subtle dig at Hartley for not having the team prepared. The sting flummoxed Hartley. Should the team struggle at any point this season, keep an eye on how the relationship holds up. Pressure to win with Bourque in the mix. Defensively deficient or not, Ozolinsh's departure doesn't exactly strengthen the team in the short-run. Ozolinsh's shortcomings, which were overshadowed by everything else he brought to the table, could be masked in Colorado's system. With more minutes available, Bourque, Adam Foote et al will be asked to carry more of the load. Is that fair to an aging Bourque?

Comings
Player	Pos.	From	Via
Raymond Bourque	D	Colorado	Free agent
Frederick Cassivi	G	Colorado	Re-signed
Mike Craig	RW	San Jose	Free agent
Adam Deadmarsh	F	Colorado	Re-signed
Kelly Fairchild	C	Michigan (IHL)	Free agent
Dan Hinote	C	Colorado	Re-signed
Jon Klemm	D	Colorado	Re-signed
Eric Messier	D	Colorado	Free agent
Ville Niemine	LW	Colorado	Re-signed
Nolan Pratt	D	Carolina	Trade/re-signed
Joel Prpic	C	Boston	Free agent
Joe Sakic	C	Colorado	Re-signed
Dan Smith	D	Colorado	Re-signed
Brian White	D	Colorado	Re-signed
Stephane Yelle	C	Colorado	Free agent

Goings
Player	Pos.	To	Via
Dave Andreychuk	F	Buffalo	Free agent
Serge Aubin	C	Columbus	Free agent
Michael Gaul	D	Columbus	Free agent
Sami Helenius	D	Dallas	Free agent
Christian Matte	RW	Minnesota	Free agent
Jeff Odgers	F	Minnesota	Expansion
Sandis Ozolinsh	D	Carolina	Trade
Rick Tabaracci	G	Dallas	Expansion

Prospect Watch
David Aebischer, G, 6'2", 188
Born: February 7, 1978 in Fribourg, Switz
Acquired: 1997 draft, sixth round (No. 161 overall)
Slated to back up Roy this season, Aebischer has quick reflexes and is coming off a 29-23-2 season with Hershey of the American Hockey League. Scouts predict he could one day be a No. 1 goalie in the NHL.

Get the Highlighter
Wed., Oct. 4 at Dallas: Is there a better way to open the season than to face nemesis Dallas, the club that has eliminated the Avs from the playoffs the past two years? Lacroix didn't think the better team won, so don't think that won't motivate the Stars.
Thurs., Oct. 12 at Vancouver: The Roy watch begins. If all goes perfect, Roy could pass Sawchuck in just the fourth game of the season.
Mon., Dec. 11 vs. Tampa Bay: Avs begin a stretch in which they play 10 of the next 11 at home.
Fri., Dec. 15 vs. Detroit: What good would a highlighter be without pointing out the first meeting with rival Detroit?
Thurs., March 22 at St. Louis: Five-game road trip that starts in St. Louis and winds up in Los Angeles could be a killer this late in season.

Quoteworthy
"I'm excited for this year. We've got Ray (Bourque) signed again, and hopefully we'll have another good chance to win the Cup, so that's my only focus and my only goal this year."
--Sakic on his impending free agency after the season

Team-by-team previews compiled by CNNSI.com's Ken Klavon, Jamie MacDonald and Jimmy Traina.

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