Mum's the word

Roy keeping quiet on his plans for the future

DENVER (AP) -- Impenetrable in the crease, Patrick Roy is just as inscrutable when it comes to his career plans.

Has the winningest goaltender in NHL history played his final game, or will he return for a 19th season next fall?

After the Colorado Avalanche's unexpected Game 7 loss to Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs on April 22, Roy said he was 90 percent certain of his decision but wanted "a little more time to make sure I make the right decision."

Since then, he has remained secluded as he mulls his decision.

Avalanche officials insist they don't know what Roy will do, but there are signs that he has decided to retire.

In January, he put his home in the Denver suburb of Littleton up for sale. Within the past year, he purchased a home in Palm Beach, Fla.

Roy, who turns 38 in October, remains in good physical condition, but his arthritic hips have deteriorated in recent years. His right hip required surgery four years ago, and the left hip had to be drained of fluid this past season, causing him to miss two games. Roy's butterfly style of goaltending only aggravates that condition.

Roy's eldest son, Jonathan, a budding goalie, will play hockey in Quebec starting this fall, and Roy has made no secret of his desire to follow his son's career closely. Ex-Avs defenseman Ray Bourque retired in 2001 for essentially the same reason.

Jacques Demers, a hockey analyst for RDS television in Montreal and Roy's former coach with the Montreal Canadiens, believes Patrick has played his last game. Demers said he was told by a "confidant" of Roy in December that the goaltender planned to retire after this season.

Demers said Roy is determined to leave the game while his skills remain at a high level, not hang on like some over-the-hill athletes.

Roy -- who has won four Stanley Cup rings, two with Montreal and two with Colorado -- was solid this season. He tied for fourth in the NHL in the regular season with 35 victories. He also was second in goals-against average (2.18) and third in save percentage (.920).

Roy has one year left on his contract, at the team's option, worth $8.5 million. The Avs want him to return. If he retires, he will get a $1 million bonus from the team.

Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix said he was confident Roy will make a decision that is right for himself and his family, with no pressure from outside influences.

"We don't know anything more than what Patrick said after our last game," Avalanche director of media relations Jean Martineau said. "For the past few years, he has indicated the same thing -- that he will take it year by year and make a decision in the offseason. Nothing has changed.

"We have told him we won't rush him, to take the time he needs. I hope he still wants to play, but that's just a personal feeling. I have no indication what he's going to do. I haven't tried to know. I have played golf with Patrick a couple of times in the last two weeks, and it never came up. We are not pressuring him for a decision."

Roy's agent, Bob Sauve, said his client will take as much time as he needs to arrive at a decision, noting that Roy usually is still competing at this time of the year.

Avs forward Peter Forsberg, whose own future in Colorado is uncertain, said, "It would be a terrible shame if we lost a guy who probably is the best goaltender of all time." But Forsberg insisted Roy's decision "won't affect mine."

Forsberg, who is eligible for restricted free agency on July 1, won't begin contract talks with Colorado until after the World Hockey Championships. Forsberg is playing for Sweden. He could return to the Avs or, with labor strife looming in the NHL in 2004, opt to play for his Swedish hometown team, MoDo of the Swedish Elite League.

If Roy retires, the Avalanche could turn to backup goalie David Aebischer or to minor-league prospect Phil Sauve, the son of Roy's agent. They also could pursue the free-agent market or a trade.

 

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