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Wednesday, April 23
 
GM: Coach Granato will be back

ESPN.com news services

Future Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy has pretty much made up his mind about whether to return for a 19th full season in the NHL. He's just not saying what the decision is -- yet.

Roy's season ended late Tuesday night as the Colorado Avalanche lost a 3-2 overtime decision to the Minnesota Wild in Game 7 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.

After the game, Roy told Denver reporters he is "90 percent sure" of his decision about whether he'll suit up for the Avalanche next season. However, Roy also wants to take a little time off before making a final decision.

"I just need a little more time to make sure I make the right decision," said Roy, the all-time winningest goalie in NHL history.

Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix left little doubt that coach Tony Granato will be back.

He wasn't so sure about Roy and Peter Forsberg.

Granato was criticized for juggling his lines too much in the first-round series against Minnesota, but Lacroix said Wednesday that his coach was in no danger of losing his job. The Wild won the series in seven games after the Avalanche blew a 3-games-to-1 lead.

"There's no doubt (he'll be back), and he has got a long career ahead of him," Lacroix said. "Ask any of the players."

Lacroix wasn't quite so certain about Forsberg.

The Swedish star is a restricted free agent and has said he would like to finish his career in Sweden, where he can play for his father.

Forsberg was noncommittal about his plans for next season after Colorado's 3-2 overtime loss to the Wild Tuesday night, but Lacroix said he's expecting the league's leading scorer to be back for a ninth season.

"I don't have any indication about him wanting to not play," Lacroix said. "I don't anticipate anything different than the normal course of things with Peter Forsberg."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.




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