Good-guy Laperriere Might Be Part of Housecleaning
(from the INDenver Times)
By Aaron J. Lopez
INDenver Times
April 2, 2009 - Thank you and farewell?
The Colorado chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association has nominated Avalanche forward Ian Laperriere as a candidate for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which represents "perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey."
It would be a shame to see another group of scribes singing Laperriere's praises next season, but it looks like that could be the case as the 35-year-old prepares for free agency.
Taking a page directly out of the pro athlete's politically correct handbook, Laperriere says his first choice is to remain with the Avalanche, who signed him in 2005. There is no reason to question Lappy's loyalty...however (there's always a "however"), he and Colorado management are having a hard time finding common ground in contract talks.
Laperriere, a consummate grinder who lights up a dressing room more than the stat sheet, is making $1.15 million this season. Though he does not want to leave Colorado, he is seeking what could be the final multi-year contract of his career.
Asked if he would take less money to stay in Denver and attempt to help the Avs return to respectability, Laperriere was his usual honest self.
"I think I've played all my career on discounts," he told me after a recent practice. "I'll leave it at that."
With captain Joe Sakic quite possibly heading into retirement and defenseman Adam Foote struggling to stay healthy, the Avs are in no position to lose another leader in the locker room. Few players have Laperriere's ability to loosen up his teammates one minute and kick them in the butt the next.
Laperriere blocks shots, plays solid minutes on the penalty kill unit and never backs down from a fight in defense of a teammate. He also is capable of chipping in on offense, as evidenced by his 40 goals and 72 assists in the past four seasons.
Laperriere was hoping to have a contract extension in hand after he survived the NHL trade deadline last month, but it now looks like he will test the free-agent market.
"Who knows if I'll be here next year," he said. "They know I want to stay here. We need to meet somewhere. Right now we're too far apart."
The Avalanche free-agent policy has always been to focus on their own guys before searching for options elsewhere. They would be wise to apply that policy to Laperriere, if no one else, when the housecleaning starts in June.
The Masterton Trophy recognizes players who exemplify everything that is right about hockey, and Laperriere is a prototypical nominee. With declining attendance in a sickly economy, the Avs have to be smart about where they spend their limited funds this summer.
That being said, letting Laperriere go would be a gross miscalculation.