Ian Laperriere admitted he was getting concerned.

It had been more than three months since the Avalanche's season ended, and Joe Sakic still hadn't decided whether to return for a 20th NHL season or retire.

"When you don't hear any news for a while, you're kind of worried," said Laperriere, one of the team's most popular forwards. "Everybody was kind of wondering what he was going to do."

The suspense ended Wednesday, when the Avalanche announced Sakic, the franchise's all-time leading scorer, would be back for another season.

Sakic, 39, signed a one-year, $6 million contract - $750,000 less than last season's deal - and will report with the rest of the team Sept. 19 for medicals and physical testing. Official training camp sessions begin the next day.

"Ultimately, it came down to the fact that I still enjoy playing and competing," Sakic said in a statement. "I'm comfortable with my conditioning and my overall health. I'm ready for the start of camp and am looking forward to the upcoming season."

So the captain is back, and Laperriere couldn't be happier.

"It's great news," he said. "We talked a little bit this summer, but you want to give the guy some room. You don't want to bug him every time you talk. I'm just glad he's back. You're a much better team with Joe Sakic on your team.

"I don't care if he's 39. He's such a special player. He's such a special human being. I'm pumped. I'm excited to see him coming on the ice. I can't emphasize enough what he brings to the team."

Don Baizley, Sakic's agent, said Sakic called him late Tuesday to inform him he'd decided to return for the 2008-09 season.

"He told me he made up his mind," Baizley said.

Sakic will hold a news conference today at Sanctuary in Sedalia before his annual golf tournament that benefits Food Bank of the Rockies' children's programs, but he's expected to limit discussions to the charity event.

Because the Democratic National Convention in Denver is drawing so much attention, coupled with the upcoming Labor Day weekend, Avalanche officials said they will wait until Tuesday to conduct a formal news conference for Sakic.

"Our entire organization is very excited to have Joe back for another season," Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere said in a statement. "As the only captain of the Avalanche, his record of achievement speaks for itself. Having him return is great for our franchise and community, but also for the game of hockey."

Giguere kept in contact with Sakic after the season ended but wouldn't push him to make a decision, saying the likely future Hall of Famer deserved whatever time he needed.

"He earned that right to take his time," Laperriere said. "He's done everything for this organization. I think that's the way Francois was thinking, and I think it was the right approach. We tried to give him the respect that he earned and tried not to bring it up every single time we talked to him."

Sakic recorded 13 goals and 27 assists in 44 games last season, having missed 38 games to recover from a groin injury and, eventually, surgery for a sports hernia. He led the Avalanche in playoff scoring with 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 10 games.

"Anytime you get a player like Joe coming back for another year, it's great news," defenseman John-Michael Liles said. "I was optimistic that he was coming back. At the same time, if he didn't come back, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Our job is to go out and play the best we can, whether that's with Joe or without him.

"But, hey, trust me, I'm one of the happiest people that Joe's coming back. We're much better off with a player of Joe's caliber, along with what he brings off the ice."

Sakic has scored 30 or more goals nine times and 100 or more points six times. He has played in 12 NHL All-Star Games, won the Hart Trophy as most valuable player in 2001, the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1996 and an Olympic gold medal with Canada in 2002, when he was chosen as the tournament's most valuable player.

He ranks eighth in NHL history in points (1,629), 11th in assists (1,006) and 14th in goals (623).

"But what people don't see is the way he is in the (locker) room," Laperriere said. "For the younger guys - and for the older guys, too - players look up to him for what he does on a daily basis. He's just a workhorse. He works so hard on and off the ice. He's a superstar, but he's a pro and a great example for everybody."

Sakic's significant contracts

* 1989-90: Joe Sakic is paid $86,330 as an NHL rookie with the Quebec Nordiques.

* 1993-94: He reaches seven figures for the first time at $1,671,560.

* July 1997: As a restricted free agent, he accepts a three-year, $21 million offer sheet, which includes a $15 million signing bonus, from the New York Rangers. The Avalanche matches the offer, which pays Sakic $2 million in salary in each of the next three seasons, along with the bonus.

* June 2001: Shortly before he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent, Sakic is signed to a five-year, $50.5 million contract with an option for a sixth year at $6.7 million. The Avalanche also re-signs potential free agents Rob Blake and Patrick Roy. The fourth year of Sakic's deal is wiped out by the 2004-05 lockout and canceled season.

* June 2006: He re-signs for one year at $5.75 million.

* April 2007: After missing the playoffs for the first time since the team has been in Denver, the Avalanche re-signs Sakic to a one-year, $6.75 million contract.

* Wednesday: Three-and-a-half months after the Avalanche is swept by Detroit in the Western Conference semifinals, Sakic decides to return for another season and signs a one-year, $6 million deal.