Joe Sakic says he's glad the Colorado Avalanche are no Green Bay Packers.

The 39-year-old is grateful his NHL team didn't pressure him into a decision on retiring as the Packers did with Brett Favre, causing a mess in Green Bay.

That gave Sakic time to ponder his future and led to him signing a one-year, six-million-dollar contract for a 20th season with Colorado.

Sakic said at a news conference today he thought his playing days were over after last season. But he was told by Avs general manager Francois Giguerre to take as much time as he needed to decide what he wanted to do and that led to Sakic's return.