[2] Sauer spent the next four-and-a-half years with the Avalanche used as one of their primary shut down defenseman when not hampered by injury before leaving as a free agent.
On July 1, 2008, Sauer signed a four-year free agent contract with the Phoenix Coyotes worth an average of $1.75 million per year.
[4] Sauer continued to practice and played in the season opener against the Los Angeles Kings on October 2, 2009, but was still affected by his eyesight.
He continued to rehabilitate, but by the All-Star Game break, in February he was ruled out for the season after still suffering major symptoms and swelling.
[5] Although unlikely to ever resume his professional career, he was still hopeful of a return and made slow progress through sensory rehabilitation to restore brain balance.