Sakic

Sakic, 30, needs two points to become the 56th player in NHL history to earn 1,000 points, which could occur within the next week when the Avalanche are on the road against Calgary and Vancouver. Sakic missed Thursday night's game at Los Angeles because of a stiff back.

Avalanche trainer Pat Karns said Sakic, who suffered the injury in practice Monday, will be re-evaluated Friday in Calgary.

The team plans to honor Sakic in a ceremony in the first home game after he reaches the milestone.

"It's a great accomplishment," he said. "I've been looking at it for a couple of years. It will be great to get to."

Sakic, a center, was credited with his first NHL point, an assist, Oct. 6, 1988, against the then-Hartford Whalers.

He has produced 380 goals and 618 assists in 807 games, an average of 1.236 points a game. This season, Sakic leads the Avalanche with 19 points on five goals and 14 assists.

When he attains that 1,000th point, Sakic will become the 14th NHL player to do so with one franchise, and will join Peter Stastny as the only player in the Quebec/Colorado franchise history to produce at least 1,000 points.

"Obviously, when you reach 1,000 points, it is something that is very prestigious," Avalanche coach Bob Hartley said.

"Let's also remember who Joe Sakic is. He is a great offensive leader to this hockey club, but he is also a great individual in the locker room and one of the best players in the NHL, if not the best."