DENVER – The pained look in Peter Forsberg's eyes delivered
the message that would not come from his lips.
At what price, success?
| |  | |
| Deadmarsh |
| |  | |
| Blake |
Forsberg and the Colorado Avalanche put on a unified front
Thursday as they digested the trade that sent popular teammates Adam Deadmarsh and Aaron Miller to the Los Angeles Kings for
defenseman Rob Blake and forward Steve Reinprecht.
"I heard some rumors, but I didn't know," said Forsberg, one
of Deadmarsh's closest friends. "It's kind of a shock. ... Blake
has been Norris Trophy winner and he's a real good player. We'll
see how it goes."
Then, as if to reassure himself, Forsberg's voice trailed off:
"It's going to be fine. ... I'm sure it's going to be fine."
The trade, which also gave Los Angeles a first-round pick in the
2002 draft as well as a prospect to be named and future
considerations, marks the third straight year that general manager
Pierre Lacroix has brokered a major springtime deal.
Defenseman Ray Bourque was acquired from the Boston Bruins last
March and forward Theo Fleury was added a year earlier. He brought
in goalie Patrick Roy and defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh in the months
leading up to Colorado's Stanley Cup title in 1995-96.
"Pierre's amazing," forward Shjon Podein said. "You almost
get used to him making these blockbuster deals and bringing these
great players in here. I don't think a lot of us realize how hard
it really is to do once, much less ... how many times has he done
it now? Four? Five?"
In nearly all cases, Lacroix's previous trades were met with
unbridled enthusiasm, but Wednesday's deal bought a mixture of
optimism and dejection from a team that prides itself on its
chemistry.
"It's different because we are at the top of the league and a
lot of people wouldn't disrupt that," forward Chris Drury said.
"But no matter how good you are, if you get a guy like Rob Blake
he's going to make you better."
After falling short in the Western Conference finals in each of
the past two seasons, Lacroix appears more determined than ever to
return Colorado to its championship form.
Blake, a multifaceted player with ability to score, defend and
play physical, gives the Avalanche a formidable defense to further
complement an explosive offense. Colorado, which leads the NHL with
87 points, has 18 goals in the past three games.
"Everything you hear here is for the Stanley Cup and the
playoffs to do the best possible," Blake said. "So I am going to
come here, I am going to fit into that roll and I am going to go
ahead and do what I can."
Deadmarsh was a major contributor to the offense, both
physically and emotionally, and the trade was another twist in what
has been a hectic season. He missed 20 games due to a concussion
and a knee injury, and his wife recently gave birth to twin girls
after a complicated pregnancy.
"Adam is a very emotional young man and Adam was disturbed
about all of this," Lacroix said. "I am sure that after a day or
two he is going to look forward to having a very successful career.
... There is never a good time for a trade. None. It doesn't exist.
"I know that after everybody is settled in and understands the
whole dimension of the transaction, nobody – I am convinced 100
percent – will disagree in what this organization is trying to
accomplish."
This much is certain: The next four months promises intrigue for
Avalanche fans.
If Bourque captures the Stanley Cup in his 22nd season, he may
decide to retire, leaving Colorado flexibility to sign Blake, who
is eligible for free agency. If the Avs fall short, Blake may sign
elsewhere and Lacroix will have to wait another year to find the
formula for success.
Blake said he wants to focus on getting to the playoffs with his
new team. "I want to take care of the business on the ice and get
everything done there and when that is done, we will do other
things," he said.
 Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
|
|
ALSO SEE
Avs acquire Blake from Kings to bolster title hopes
Trade breakdown: Blake to Colorado
Frei: The Cup or bust
Johnson: Over and out in L.A.
Clement: The Blake Effect
Wings GM gives Avs props
User feedback: What's your take on the Blake trade?
|
