You can forget about all those rumors that have defenseman Rob Blake leaving Colorado as an unrestrictedfree agent.
Anything is still possible, but the 36-year-old defenseman told the Rocky Mountain News that heis handling his own contract negotiations and is hopeful of signing a new, two-year contract with theAvalanche, perhaps as early as next week.
Blake, who made $6.36 million thisseason, plans to speak with new Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere next Monday or Tuesday, after Saturday's NHL entry draft.
"It's where I want to play, in Denver," Blake said. "It's been a great fit for me.I've enjoyed every bit of time I've had there and I'm pretty confident something should get done next week. I don't see why it wouldn't.
"Until it's signed and everything is done you never know what could happen, but from my side, I've enjoyed my time there and would like to continue there, for sure."
Blake previously was represented by Los Angeles-based agent Ron Salcer but decided to go it alone for what could be his final deal.
"I'm going to do it by myself," he said. "I just felt that it wasn't that difficult a thing to do. I want to play in Denver and if we can work something out, I figured it was something I can handle myself."
Blake sounded open to taking a hometown discount, as Avalanche captain Joe Sakic did Tuesday when he signed a one-year, $5.75 million contract -- nearly $1 million less than his 2005-06 salary.
"It's great that they got that done and now we can go forward," Blake said. "They've treated me real well. It's a good situation and not just hockey wise. The fans, the whole organization, from trainers and management, it's definitely first class. I think people need to look at that."
Blake had 14 goals and 37 assists in 81 games in 2005-06 while averaging 24 minutes of ice time per game, tops on the team. He also wasone of the Avalanche's best players in the playoffs.
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