Blake Dealt To Avalanche
The pained look in Peter Forsberg's eyes delivered the message that would not come from his lips.
At what price, success?
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 Steven 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 brought 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 ho 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.
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.
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