As Joe Sakic ponders his future, the Avalanche has put itself in position to accommodate its captain for another encore.

After signing free-agent forward Marek Svatos to a two- year, $4.1 million contract Friday, the Avs are about $8.2 million under the salary cap, leaving plenty of room to add Sakic, should he decide to return for a 20th NHL season.

Sakic said earlier this month he would make a decision before training camp starts in September.

"There's nothing new on that front," his agent, Don Baizley, said Friday.

The Avs, meanwhile, were scheduled to go to arbitration with Svatos on Friday before reaching an agreement that will pay the 26-year-old $1.75 million this season and $2.35 million in 2009-10.

"Marek Svatos has been a key ingredient to our success the last few years," Avalanche vice president and general manager Francois Giguere said in a statement. "He's scored many big goals for this club and we expect him to be a strong force for us again this season."

With 73 goals during the past three seasons, Svatos has proved he can score, but staying healthy has been a challenge.

He was leading the team in goals, with 26, in 2007-08 before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

He tied for the team lead in goals, with 32, as a rookie in 2005-06 despite missing the final 20 games of the season because of a shoulder injury.

The Avalanche now has 27 players on its roster, including at least five with two-way contracts, meaning their salaries wouldn't count against the NHL's $56.7 million cap if they are playing in the minor leagues.