Five days before he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent, longtime Avalanche defenseman Adam Foote is uncertain about his future with the team.
“I don’t know if I’m in their plans or not,” Foote said Wednesday night.
Foote, 34, can become an unrestricted free agent Monday, but the Avs hold exclusive negotiating rights with him until then. The Avs’ assistant captain made one thing clear: He doesn’t want to leave Colorado.
“My heart is with the Avalanche, and that’s where I want I stay,” Foote said. “I don’t know much more than that right now, but I hope I’m back.”
Foote, who has been with the Avalanche franchise since 1991-92, was slated to earn $4.4 million in the canceled 2004-05 season. He probably would command more on the open market, into the $5 million range.
Foote and center Peter Forsberg are the key unsigned players for the Avalanche, whose salary demands may be too great for both to fit under a league-mandated $39 million salary cap. The Avs currently have eight players under guaranteed contracts for this season at about $19 million.
The Avs had no comment about any player contract negotiations. Foote’s agent, Richard Curran, did not return a phone call.
Foote, a native of Toronto, had eight goals and 30 points in 73 games for the Avs in 2003-04. In 799 career games, he has 55 goals and 234 points, with 1,140 penalty minutes. He is a two-time member of the Canadian Olympic team.
The Toronto Sun reported in today’s editions the Maple Leafs are interested in Foote, should he stay unsigned by Monday.
Time to sign picks
Today marks the deadline for the Avalanche to sign its 2003 draft picks. If not signed, those picks go back into the pool of players eligible for Saturday’s NHL draft in Ottawa.
Of particular interest to Avalanche followers is the fate of center Brad Richardson, the leading scorer with the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League last season.
Richardson, 20, was selected 163rd overall in the 2003 draft. He finished third in OHL scoring in 2004-05, with 41 goals and 97 points in 68 games for the Attack. At 5-feet-11, 189 pounds, Richardson is considered a surefire future NHL regular.
Avalanche spokesman Jean Martineau said no 2003 draftees, which include top-three picks David Svagrovsky, right wing, and center Mark McCutcheon, have been signed.
“We have until (today) to sign them, so we’ll know more then,” Martineau said.
Draft plans
Avs general manager Pierre Lacroix will travel to Ottawa for the draft. Colorado will have the 27th pick in the first round and the fourth pick in the second round (34th overall).
Lacroix had no comment on possibly moving up in the draft via trade. New Mighty Ducks of Anaheim GM Brian Burke said publicly he is shopping the No. 2 pick.
