20 in 20: Countdown of the top Avalanche players after 2 decades in Colorado
With the Colorado Avalanche in its 20th season, we compiled our list of the top 20 Avs since the two-time Stanley Cup-winning franchise moved from Quebec to Denver in 1996.
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20. Alexei Gusarov:
Played nearly his entire career for the Quebec/Colorado franchise, and was a smart defensive defenseman. Gusarov never scored more than five goals in a season for the Avs, but he was consistently a plus player who finished his career +50.
19. Gabriel Landeskog:
His penchant to play the body has reminded fans of Peter Forsberg. Landeskog was named captain of the Avs in 2012, the youngest player to be given the honor of captaining an NHL team.
18. Erik Johnson:
Was drafted first overall by the Blues in 2006, the fifth (sixth being Patrick Kane, 2007) American taken that high. When he was traded to the Avs in 2011, it was hoped that he would become the young, top defenseman the Avs needed. He has fulfilled those hopes.
17. Stephane Yelle:
Though Yelle never wowed people with his statistics, he was a fixture on the Avalanche. Yelle was a perfect bottom six player, who was great on faceoffs.
16. Chris Drury:
During his time with the Avs, Drury was a masterful finisher. If the team needed a goal in overtime, and Joe Sakic didn’t score it, Drury probably would. He netted four overtime playoff goals in his career.
15. John-Michael Liles:
Was a fast, puck-moving offensive-defenseman for the Avs. Liles could keep up with the forwards, and often drove the play into the offensive zone. He finished his Avs career with 275 points in 523 games played.
14. Rob Blake:
He was a devastating hitter, and a master of the hip check who had a bomb from the point. The Norris Trophy winning (best defenseman, 1997-98) Blake won his only Stanley Cup in 2001 with the Avs.
13. Claude Lemieux:
Many will remember Lemieux as the player who delivered the devastating hit to Kris Draper that singlehandedly started the Avs and Red Wings rivalry, but he was more than that. Lemieux was a phenomenal playoff performer with 80 goals, which is ninth all-time. He was a member of two championship teams (once with Colorado, once with Montreal).
12. Sandis Ozolinsh:
He was ahead of his time. In today’s NHL he’d fit in as a defenseman who jumps into the offense while sacrificing a bit of defense. Ozolinsh was a smooth skated with a great wrist and slap shot. He was a -44 for his career, but in Colorado he was +19.
11. Ray Bourque:
I couldn’t leave Bourque off the list because he only played 94 games with Colorado. He scored 73 points (58 assists) during his time here, and put 259 shots on goal.
10. Adam Deadmarsh:
Deadmarsh had 288 points (150 assists) in 453 games with the Avs. He won a cup in 1996, and was nearly a point-per-game player for the Avs during the run. He had 17 points (12 assists) in 22 games. Did you know: He had his name spelled wrong on the Stanley Cup. It was later fixed. It was the first time a spelling error had been corrected to a name on the Cup.
9. Matt Duchene:
The first thing that comes to mind is Duchene’s blazing speed. Watching him in the offensive zone with the puck is reminiscent of Peter Forsberg, and the way that opponents cannot take the puck from him. Duchene uses his speed to attack the offensive zone, where down low he utilizes twirls, spins and reversals that lead many defenders clutching air. Duchene is a lifelong Avalanche fan who has expressed desire to play for the Avs his entire career. As of Tuesday, Duchene is first on the Avs this season with 44 points and 25 goals.
8. Paul Stastny:
Stastny played 538 games (298 assists, 458 points) for the Avs and was a great two-way player. Hr often took the most difficult faceoffs (defensive zone), and was also counted on for offense. Paul’s dad Peter, and uncles Anton and Marian all played together in Quebec.
7. Alex Tanguay:
Started his career with the Avalanche, and then was traded to the Flames. Tanguay scored the game-winning goal that gave the Avs their second Stanley Cup in Game 7 of the finals against New Jersey, but he’s always been known as a passer.
6. Valeri Kamensky:
Kamenskey played 460 games for the Quebec/Colorado franchise and averaged nearly a point-per-game with 414 points, and 248 assists.
5. Milan Hejduk:
Connected two eras of Avalanche hockey. He has a Cup ring from the 2001 team, was around during the Avalanche rebuild, won Rocket Richard Trophy (most goals during the regular season; 2002-03) and played his entire career in Colorado. He rarely missed games for the Avs, and other teams always had to be cognizant of him. Hejduk could, and would, score from anywhere in the offensive zone.
4. Adam Foote:
Was mean, nasty and terrorized opposing forwards as they dared go into corners in the defensive zone. Foote was a defensive defenseman. He played against the opponents best players, and it was his responsibility to make sure they didn’t score. Foote played the body well, and hit everything that wasn’t bolted down to the ice.
3. Peter Forsberg:
Peter the Great was a magician with the puck, his vision and playmaking skills showed that he was always a step ahead of the competition. When the Avs were on the power play, Forsberg parked at the half boards, and picked the penalty killing unit apart. Teams could send a player after him to try and strip the puck, but he was a brilliant passer and would find the open man. He was great behind the net, and banked the puck off the back of the net, while spinning, and had a wraparound chance or dished the puck to someone in the slot regularly.
Forsberg excelled during an era in the NHL where defenders could basically tackle offensive players, and in his career he averaged 1.25 points per game. That’s good enough for eighth in NHL history. The players that average more are all-time greats, such as Wayne Gretzky (1.921), Mario Lemieux (1.883) and Bobby Orr (1.393) an Sidney Crosby (1.33). Forsberg hit people. And after he got the puck from the opposition, he could thread a needle and have his teammates in perfect position to receive the puck.
2. Patrick Roy:
He is the best clutch goalie to play the game. When the pressure was at its highest, Roy was nearly unbeatable. His 151 playoff wins are 38 more than the next goalie (Martin Brodeur). Henrik Lundqvist’s 54 wins are the highest for any active goalie. Roy won three Conn Smythe Trophies (playoff MVP) in three different decades, and is the only player to have won it three times. Roy will forever be a man of two teams, and though Roy had more wins in Montreal (289 to 262), he had fewer losses in Colorado (140 to 175). Saint Patrick won two Stanley Cups in Montreal (’86, ’93) and two in Colorado (’96, ’01).
It was a treasure to watch the eccentric goalie play, whether it was watching him talk to the posts, not skate over the blue lines or the red line at center ice, or watch him constantly bob his head to adjust his gobbler (neck protector).The animosity during the Red Wings-Avalanche rivalry spilled over to the goalies. Roy fought Detroit’s Mike Vernon. But Roy would not stop there, he also fought Chris Osgood and nearly fought Dominik Hasek who fell to the ice before the two could square off.
1. Joe Sakic:
He is the epitome of class. His leadership on the ice for the Avs was unquestioned, and he led the team to two Stanley Cups (1996, 2001). A testament to his classy conduct was put on display when the Avs won the Cup in 2001. As he was handed the Cup, Super Joe immediately passed it to Ray Bourque who had played 22 years and never hoisted it before.
As a player, Sakic was known for his lethal wrist shot that he could fire with pinpoint accuracy at full stride. When Sakic rounded the circle in the offensive zone everyone held their breath, knowing that Sakic could score. Sakic was fast, and always in the right place. His 625 career goals for the Quebec/Colorado franchise are good enough for 15th all time. Jarome Iginla is the only active player within striking distance of passing Sakic at 604 goals. Sakic is also the all-time leader in playoff overtime goals (eight).
During the heyday of the Avs-Red Wings rivalry, when goons policed the ice, it was understood that Sakic earned the right not to be run at. Brett Hull, who played for the Red Wings toward the end of his career, recently told a story about a young agitator named Sean Avery who was attempting to trash talk Sakic. Hull told Avery “You do not get to talk to Mr. Sakic.” Respect was not given out easily during 90s hockey, but for Sakic to receive it from a rival that was hated as much as Detroit, shows that Sakic was revered among all.
Not to be forgotten
The top three Colorado Rockies3. Rob Ramage:
Played 234 games for the Rockies, and scored 132 points (91 assists) as a defenseman. Ramage twice won the Stanley Cup (1989 Flames; 1993 Canadiens) once he was traded by Colorado.
2. Lanny McDonald:
McDonald’s mustache is probably the inspiration for Linoel Richie’s stache in the ’80s. McDonald scored 141 points (75 assists) for the Rockies, but is most famous for his time in Calgary where he won a Cup.
1. Wilf Paiement:
The Rockies all-time leading scorer played 257 games for the Rockies and scored 106 goals and had 254 points. Paiement infamously hit Detroit’s Dennis Polonich in the face with his stick, breaking Polonich’s nose and requiring stitches.
Colorado Avalanche’s Erik Johnson, left, and St. Louis Blues’ Jaden Schwartz battle for position during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Billy Hurst)
Stephane Yelle brings the puck up ice as Chris Drury tries to hold off Jere Lehtinen in the first period Friday night, Dec. 1, 2000, at Pepsi Center.
Los Angeles Kings’ Luc Robitaille (20) and Colorado Avalanche’s Chris Drury, right, battle for the puck as Kings’ Steve Duchesne looks on during the first period Sunday night, Oct. 18, 1998, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman John-Michael Liles scores on Nashville Predators goalie Tomas Vokoun during the third period of their hockey game at Pepsi Center in Denver on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2005. Nashville won the game 5-4. Photo by David Bitton
Colorado’s Rob Blake looks to pass the puck during a 2-1 loss to the Canucks at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. April 9, 2002. Photos by Andy Rogers/The Gazette
The avs Claude Lemieux, at right, celebrates the avs first goal in the first period. The goal was scored by Adam Deadmarsh. photo Kotlowski
Avalanche defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh chases thd puck down the ice against the Dallas Stars at McNichols Arena Thursday, 9/23.
Ray Bourque kisses the Stanley Cup following game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals at the Pepsi Center in Denver Saturday, June 9, 2001. Mark Reis photo
Colorado Avalanche right winger Adam Deadmarsh, right, struggles to control the puck as Edmonton Oilers right winger Mike Grier comes in to cover from the side in the third period of the Oilers’ 4-0 victory in game seven of the teams’ first-round NHL playoff series in Denver’s McNichols Sports Arena on Monday, May 4, 1998. The win advances the Oilers to the second round of the playoffs where they will face the Dallas Stars. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Avs Alex Tanguay (right) and Ray Bourque celebrate the third goal of the game during the 2nd period Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals at the Pepsi Center in Denver on June 9, 2001. Jay Janner/The Gazette
COLORADO’S Valeri Kamensky chases the puck over the top of Detroit’s Martin Lapointe in the third period of the Red Wings’ 3-1 win in Denver Sunday, March 14. Jay Janner photo
San Jose Sharks goalie John Nabokov, left, stops a shot by Colorado Avalanche right winger Milan Hejduk (23) as he slips past Sharks center Jerrod Skalde in the first period in Denver’s McNichols Sports Arena on Monday, Sept. 21, 1998. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Adam Foote of the Colorado Avalanche stretches before practice on the first day of training camp at the World Arena Ice Hall on Sunday Sept. 5, 1999. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Colorado Avalanche center Peter Forsberg during a playoff game against the San Jose Sharks at Pepsi Center on Tuesday, May 4, 2004. The Sharks won the game 3-1 and the series 4-2. Photo by David Bitton
Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy is carried off the ice on the shoulders of teamates Ray Bourque, left, and Adam Foote after he became the winningest goalie in NHL history when Colorado beat Washington 4-3 in overtime Tuesday night in Washington. Reis photo
Avalanche Joe Sakic takes a shot on the goal in the second period.
1980’s: Rob Ramage #5 of the Colorado Rockies skates against the Boston Bruins at Boston Garden. (AP Photo)
Rob Blake passes the puck past New Jersey’s Jason Arnott in the third period at the Pepsi Center in Denver in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, May 29, 2001. Mark Reis photo
Rob Blake – for Avalanche posters – Shot 5/22/02. Mark Reis photo
Chris Drury unleashes a slap shot during the Colorado Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings at Pepsi Center, Friday, Dec. 15, 2000.
Alexei Gusarov battles for the puck along the boards with Joe Juneau during the Colorado Avalanche v. Phoenix Coyotes at Pepsi Center, Nov. 29, 2000.
Montreal Canadiens’ Vincent Damphousse is stopped by Colorado Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy during first period NHL action in Montreal Saturday, Nov. 21, 1998. (AP Photo/Ryan Remiorz)
Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his goal putting the Avalanche up 2-1 in the third period over the Minnesota Wild during Game 7 of the first round playoffs at the Pepsi Center on Tuesday, Apr. 22, 2003. The Gazette, Bryan Oller
Ron Sutter of the Sharks battles with Stephane Yelle of the Avalanche in the first period. schwane 4_28_99 S av5.jpg
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Janne Niinimaa (24) uses his stick to slow down Colorado Avalanche right winger Adam Deadmarsh as they race for the puck in the first period in Game 5 of the teams’ first-round NHL playoff series in Denver’s McNichols Sports Arena on Thursday, April 30, 1998. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Avalanche Adam Deadmarsh, Valeri Kamensky and Claude Lemieux celebrate after a Forsberg score in the second period.
Adam Deadmarsh stickhandles away from Philadelphia’s Mark Recchi Wednesday night, Dec. 13, 2000, at Pepsi Center.
Colorado Avalanche right winger Adam Deadmarsh, front, battles for control of the puck with St. Louis Blues left winger Geoff Courtnall in the first period in Denver’s McNichols Sports Arena on Wednesday, March 11, 1998. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) <%% 0 PICTURE_OK HEADER_OK 6 4 %%>
Colorado’s Adam Foote (left) and Dallas’ Dave Reid get tangled up on 5/26/99. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Adam Foote, right, consoles Patrick Roy of the Avalanche after the Stars score their fourth goal in the third period. schwane 6_1_99 S avs4.jpg
Avs Adam Foote yells to players on the Devils bench during a break in the 2nd period on 6/7/01. Jay janner/The Gazette
Adam Foote in professional hockey action between the Colorado Avalanche and the Chicago Black Hawks at Pepsi Center Friday night, Oct. 10, 2003…by Kevin Kreck
Colorado’s Adam Foote races after the puck during a 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. April 9, 2002. Photos by Andy Rogers/The Gazette
Alex Tanguay in action during the Colorado Avalanche against the Edmonton Oilers at Pepsi Center in Denver Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001. …by Kevin Kreck
Avs’ Alex Tanguay is congratulated by teammates Ray Bourque and Milan Hejduk after he scored a goal against the Red Wings on 4/9/00. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Alex Tanguay, of Canada, smiles as he adjusts his hat after being picked by the Colorado Avalanche 12th overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo, Saturday, June 27, 1998. (AP Photo/Frank Gunn)
Colorado Avalanche players Alex Tanguay, foreground, of the White team and Milan Hejduk of the Burgundy team battle for the puck in the first period of the annual Burgundy – White game Tuesday night, September 15 at the Colorado Springs World Arena. Mark Reis photo
Alex Tanguay of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Detroit Red Wings during the second period at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005. The Gazette, Bryan Oller
Alex Tanguay in first period professional hockey action between the Colorado Avalanche and the Chicago Black Hawks at Pepsi Center Friday night, Oct. 10, 2003…by Kevin Kreck
Alex Tanguay in action during the Colorado Avalanche against the Edmonton Oilers at Pepsi Center in Denver Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001. …by Kevin Kreck
Avs’ Alex Tanguay competes against the Red Wings at the Pepsi Center on 4/9/00. Jay Janner/The Gazette
The AVS Chris Drury knocks down the puck as L.A. goalie Felix Potvin tries to get a glove on it during third period action at the Pepsi Center in Denver. PHOTO KOTLOWSKI/THE GAZETTE,4/26/01
Marco Sturm of the Sharks checks Chris Drury of the Avalanche in the first period. schwane 4_28_99 S av5.jpg
Chris Drury – for Avalanche posters – Shot 5/22/02. Mark Reis photo
Alex Tanguay – LA Kings at Avalanche on 4/25/02. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Colorado’s Chris Drury in action in Tuesday night’s Burgundy – White game at the Colorado Springs World Arena. Reis photo
Edmonton Oilers’ Mike Comrie (89) sends Calgary Flames’ Chris Drury (37) flying during first period NHL preseason action in Calgary, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002. (AP Photo/Jeff McIntosh)
Colorado Avalanche rookie center Chris Drury, right, talks with head coch Bob Hartley during a break in practice at the team’s training headquarters in the southeast Denver suburb of Englewood, Colo., on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1998. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Anders Eriksson, left, crosses sticks as he battles for position in front of the net with Colorado Avalanche center Chris Drury in the first period in Denver’s McNichols Sports Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Avs’ Chris Drury competes against the Red Wings on 4/9/00 at the Pepsi Center. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Roman Hamrlik, left, battles for ocntrol of the puck with Colorado Avalanche right winger Claude Lemieux in front of the net in the first period in Game 5 of the teams’ first-round NHL playoff series in Denver’s McNichols Sports Arena on Thursday, April 30, 1998. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Claude Lemieux of the Avalanche battle for position in front of the boards with Craig Ludwig, left, and other Stars players. schwane 5_28_99 S avs5.jpg
Colorado Avalanche right winger Claude Lemieux, left, battles for position with San Jose Sharks right winger Tony Granato in front of the net in the third period of the Avalanche’s 7-3 victory in an NHL exhibition game in Denver’s McNichols Sports Arena, Monday, Sept. 21, 1998. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Boston Bruins defenseman Ray Bourque, left, gets tangled up in front of the net with Colorado Avalanche right winger Claude Lemieux in the first period in Denver’s McNichols Sports Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1998. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Colorado Avalanche against the Edmonton Oilers at Pepsi Center in Denver Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001. Includes retirement ceremony of Ray Bourque’s jersey, number 77…by Kevin Kreck
Colorado’s Joe Sakic warms up prior to a 2-1 loss to Vancouver at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. April 9, 2002. Photos by Andy Rogers/The Gazette
Avs Joe Sakic competes against the Red Wings on 4/9/00. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Avs’ Joe Sakic competes against the Red Wings on 4/9/00 at Pepsi Center. Jay Janner/The Gazette
San Jose Sharks’ Greg Hawgood (4) ties up with Colorado Avalanche’s Claude Lemieux (22) chasing the puck in the first period in Denver on Wednesday, April 9, 1997.(AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Joe Sakic in action during the Colorado Avalanche against the Edmonton Oilers at Pepsi Center in Denver Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001. …by Kevin Kreck
Joe Sakic in action during the game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers at Pepsi Center in Denver Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001. …by Kevin Kreck
Joe Sakic – for Avalanche posters – Shot 5/22/02. Mark Reis photo
Avalanche team captain Joe Sakic emerges from a cloud of smoke with the Stanley cup Monday during a rally in Civic Center Park in Denver for the 2001 Stanley Cup Champions. Mark Reis photo
John-Michael Liles of the Colorado Avalanche skates before the start of the game against the Detroit Red Wings at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005. The Gazette, Bryan Oller
John-Michael Liles upends Brenden Morrow with a hip check inn second period NHL playoff action from game five between the Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars at Pepsi Center Saturday afternoon, April 17, 2004…by Kevin Kreck
Colorado’s Martin Skoula, foreground, and Adam Foote tangle during Tuesday night’s Burgundy – White game at the Colorado Springs World Arena. Reis photo
Avs Joe Sakic skates down the ice against Vancouver in 1st period on 4/12/01. Jay janner/The Gazette
Steve Yzerman (left) of the Red Wings and Joe Sakic of the Avalanche face off on 3/14/99. Jay Janner/The Gazette
John-Michael Liles of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005. The Gazette, Bryan Oller
Calgary Flames’ Todd Simpson (27) keeps a close watch on Colorado Avalanche’s Milan Hejduk (23) in first period NHL action in Calgary, Sunday, Dec. 27, 1998. (AP Photo/Mike Ridewood)
Patrick Roy… Jay Janner/The Gazette 5/29/02
A dejected Colorado Avalanche’s Patrick Roy hangs his head as he leaves the ice after the Edmondton Oilers beat the Avalanche 4-0 in Denver Monday night, May 4, 1998. The seventh game win by the Oilers eliminated the Avlanche from the NHL playoffs. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy rests his hands on his stick as he watches the action in the second period of an NHL exhibition game that ended in an 8-6 victory for Colorado over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in Denver’s McNichols Sports Arena on Saturday, Sept. 26, 1998. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy spouts water during a break in play during first period action against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto Wednesday, March 4, 1998. (AP Photo/Frank Gunn)
Patrick Roy of the Colortado Avalanche defends the net against the Red Wings on 3/14/99. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Milan Hejduk -San Jose at Avalanche 5/15/02. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Peter Forsberg of the Avalanche drives to the goal past Mike Rathje of the Sharks to score the first goal in the first period. schwane 5_1_99 S avs1.jpg
Peter Forsberg of the Avalanche races pastMike Rathje of the Sharks to score the first goal in the first period. schwane 5_1_99 S avs3.jpg
Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalanche skates onto the ice under a spotlight before a game against the Red Wings on 3/14/99. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Peter Forsberg follows Patrick Roy onto the ice for warmups before the Av’s playoff game against Los Angeles at the Pepsi Center on Thursday April 18, 2002. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Avalanche Peter Forsberg, at left, and Daniel Briere of the Phoenix Coyotes skate for the puck during 3rd period action at the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO, on Saturday, April 15, 2000. PHOTO KOTLOWSKI
Ray Bourque waves goodbye to fans Monday at the conclusion of a rally in Civic Center Park in Denver for the 2001 Stanley Cup Champions. Mark Reis photo
Ray Bourque hoists the Stanley Cup following game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals at the Pepsi Center in Denver Saturday, June 9, 2001. Mark Reis photo
Peter Forsberg – for Avalanche posters – Shot 5/22/02. Mark Reis photo
Peter Forsberg competes in the Puck Control Relay during the SuperSkills on 2/3/01 at the Pepsi Center. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Avs Ray Bourque (left) Joe Sakic celebrate with the Stanley Cup after Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals at the Pepsi Center in Denver on June 9, 2001. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Ray Bourque heads off for a “skate-around” with the Stanley Cup following game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals at the Pepsi Center in Denver Saturday, June 9, 2001. Mark Reis photo
Stephane Yelle of the Avalanche gets checked by Alex Korolyuk in the first period. schwane 5_1_99 S avs4.jpg
Avs Stephane Yelleknocks down NJ’s Jason Arnott in the third period on 5/31/01 in NJ. Jay Janner/The gazette
CO Valeri Kamensky tangles up with FL Mike Hough in game 3 in Miami. stuart photo, 6/8/96
Colorado Avalanche left winger Valeri Kamensky, front, skates past defenseman Aaron Miller during the team’s practice session Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1998, in Englewood, Colo. The Avalanche are struggling after losing four of their first five regular season games and managing a tie in their fifth game. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Edmonton Oilers Doug Weight, left, sends Colorado Avalanche’s Valeri Kamensky airborne during first period playoff action in Edmonton Sunday, April 26, 1998. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer) <%% 0 PICTURE_OK HEADER_OK 1 3 %%>
Valeri Kamensky of the Colorado Avalanche skates to the puck during a game against the Red Wings on 3/14/99. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh, left, is congratulated by defenseman Adam Foote after Ozolinsh scored his second goal in the first period in the first game of an NHL first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Coyotes in Denver’s Pepsi Center on Thursday, April 13, 2000. (AP Photo/Bryan Kelsen)
Colorado Avalanche’s Stephan Yelle, right, tries to get untangled from Dallas Stars’ Sylvain Cote, left, in the third period of Game 1 of the Western Conference finals Saturday, May 13, 2000, in Dallas. The Avalanche defeated the Stars 2-0. (AP Photo/Denver Rocky Mountain News, Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Red Wings Kirk Maltby (left) and Avs Stephane Yelle fight for the puck in 3rd period on 5/27/02 in Detroit. Jay Janner/The Gazette
Rob Blake checks Minnesota’s Aaron Gavey (cq) at the close of the second period Friday night, Feb. 23, 2001, at Pepsi Center…by Kevin Kreck