Avalanche matched NYR's three-year, $21 million offer to Joe Sakic.

The Colorado Avalanche will retain their captain, center Joe Sakic. The Avs matched the New York Rangers' offer. Sakic was a restricted free agent and Colorado had the right to match any offer to him or receive compensation.

The Avalanche used a cash infusion from Fox Sports and Liberty Media for Sakic's contract which includes a $15 million signing bonus due on today, August 14. Fox Sports will reportedly pay $100 million for an exclusive seven-year commitment to broadcast Avalanche and Nuggets games, and Liberty Media will purchase an equity portion of the new Pepsi Center.

Now that Mark Messier is gone and the Rangers' aggressive attempt to secure a star player in Sakic failed, New York GM Neil Smith will probably go after another free agent. There are already rumours about Rangers' possible offer to Anaheim's Paul Kariya. If they try to sign him, it will be interesting to see whether the Mighty Ducks' GM Jack Ferreira will honor his own plea and "match any offer to Kariya".