Good things don't last forever.
As is the case will all dominant sports team, each eventually fall back to Earth. In the Avalanche's case, their decent was highlighted by some mind boggling high risk, low reward trades.
5. March 9, 2004 - Colorado trades Tom Gilbert to Edmonton for Tommy Salo and a sixth round pick in 2005.
The 2004 season was one in which David Aebischer seemingly secured Patrick Roy's starting job after the latter's retirement. Going into the 2004 playoffs, then general manager and current Avalanche President Pierre Lacroix decided it would be best if Aebischer had an experienced back up in case he faltered.
Big mistake.
The Avalanche acquired a washed-up Tommy Salo from Edmonton to fill the role, and it backfired big time.
Salo started five games for Colorado, going 1-3-1, and only played 27 minutes in the post-season in a relief effort. Couldn't the other Avalanche back-up Philippe Sauve, who was 7-7-3 behind Aebischer, handle such a light load?
Worse than Salo's performance was the player Colorado gave up in Tom Gilbert.
Though the defenseman has struggled a bit th ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by James Crider
The Decline of Greatness: The Five Worst Trades in Colorado Avalanche History
December 11th, 2009 by James Crider Leave a reply »
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