| Giguere acknowledged that Sakic played an important role in recruiting the two players. At the end of last season, he asked Sakic if he would mind calling on both of his former Canadian National Team teammates if the Avs needed help in securing their services, and Sakic agreed. The Avs still have roughly $ 7 million to spend under the salary cap, and have 19 players under one-way contracts for the season, with another, Marek Svatos, secured with a qualifying offer that he is pondering eithe to accept or go to arbitration this week. Giguere hinted that another big-name free-agent signing may not happen- which would answer the question of whether Peter Forsberg will be brought back. Giguere said he did not want to after the team chemistry and lineup much more from it's current makeup, citing the team's 15-2-2 late-season run and the additions of two star players. Forsberg, still unsigned, had surgery last week on his right ankle and plans to test it within the next week on skates. If it doesn't feel good, retirement is a possibility. The Avs on Monday lost defenseman Ken Klee, who signed a free-agent contract with Atlanta. Giguere said the team will not attempt to re-sign free-agent defender Ossi Vaananen. SCOTT HANNAN What kind of player is he? Let's say he's Adam Foote with a mullet. Although he needs to accomplish more to be more appropriately compared to Foote, Hannan is in that mold. He's abrasive and old-school on the ice. What kind of role will he play? Probably as a top-two defenseman, always on the ice against an opponent's top line. Did you know? He's a major fan of superhero-style movies, such as "Batman," "Superman" and "Spider-Man." RYAN SMYTH What kind of player is he? The proverbial grinder, only with good hands, too. Probably the best in the league at tipping pucks for goals. An underrated defensive player, especially on the penalty kill. What kind of role will he play? Smyth will play left wing on one of the top two lines. He'll be couted on to score on the power play and help out killing penalties. Did you know? Smyth wears No. 94 because 1994 was the year he graduated from high school and was drafted into the NHL. |