Tonight could be Rob Blake’s last game with the Avalanche.
The Avs are down 3-0 to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in a Western Conference semifinal series, and Blake can become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
His agent, Ron Salcer, said Wednesday that Blake will take a wait-and-see approach about next season.
“There will be numerous other options, and I think it will be a great time to sit back and weigh them,” Salcer said. “To come to the Avalanche has been tremendous to Rob and his family, and the Avalanche. I think Rob has enjoyed his time there and will strongly consider returning.”
But Salcer said there will be a “lot of interested teams” when Blake becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency. The Avalanche defenseman, 36, has had an excellent postseason, with three goals and an assist in eight games. He has averaged 28:38 of ice time each game, third in the playoffs behind Edmonton’s Chris Pronger and Anaheim’s Scott Niedermayer.
Blake has said he wants to return to the Avalanche. There has been speculation the former Norris Trophy winner might want to play for Toronto next season – near where he grew up in Simcoe, Ontario – or back with Los Angeles, where he maintains a year-round home.
“That’s just all speculation,” Salcer said. “He is under contract with the Colorado Avalanche, and that’s where his loyalties and interests lie right now.”
Blake made $6,364,112 this season. The NHL salary cap is expected to rise at least 10 percent this summer from its current $39 million.
Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-820-5454 or adater@denverpost.com.
