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| | Tuesday, March 7 | |||||
| DENVER -- First, it was Patrick Roy and then Theo Fleury. Add Ray Bourque
to the growing list of marquee players brought to Colorado through the shrewd maneuvering of Pierre Lacroix.
Lacroix, a former agent in his sixth season as Colorado's
general manager, took many by surprise Monday. He completed a trade
that sent Bourque and forward Dave Andreychuk from Boston to Denver
for Brian Rolston, two minor league prospects and a draft pick.
It had seemed Detroit and Philadelphia were the only serious
contenders to acquire Bourque, a 39-year-old defenseman and one of
the best players ever at his position.
"I have a philosophy that when you do business, it's nobody's
business," Lacroix said. "Why expose whatever you're trying to
accomplish until it's done? It's easy to talk after the fact. Why
spend energy talking about it when you don't even know if you're
going to be able to do it?"
Anonymity is Lacroix's preference, but it is not his only
formula for success.
He was aggressive in pursuing Roy from Montreal after the
goaltender demanded that the Canadiens trade him in December 1995.
Colorado was often mentioned as a possible destination for Fleury
before Calgary traded him to the Avalanche last February.
Bourque, however, was considered a long shot to land in Denver
because it takes him from his family roots on the East Coast.
Bourque acknowledged on Tuesday that Philadelphia was his first
choice. But he is excited about a chance to win his first
championship in 21 seasons.
"I think they're a very talented team that has struggled
somewhat at times this year because of injuries," Bourque said.
"They've got everybody back now, they're healthy. They've got a
world class goalie, world class players, and I think we will be
competing for a Stanley Cup in Colorado."
Roy, Fleury and Bourque had spent their entire careers in one
city before moving to Colorado. Fleury later bolted for the New
York Rangers, but Roy remains a key player for the Avalanche as
they pursue a second Stanley Cup.
Bourque, honored as the NHL's top defenseman five times, will
bolster the defense in front of Roy and add experience to an
already dangerous power play. He and Andreychuk were to join the
Avalanche in Calgary on Tuesday.
"Everyone in the hockey world knew Ray Bourque would like to
have the chance to go and win the ultimate," Lacroix said. "I was
a strong believer we could offer this to Ray and Dave, and they are
pieces of the puzzle that we need in order to accomplish what we
need to accomplish."
The price for Bourque and Andreychuk was youth.
Colorado sent forward Rolston, 27, and prospects Martin
Grenier, 19, and Samual Pahlsson, 22, to Boston. The Bruins also
will get the Avalanche's first-round draft pick in 2000 or 2001.
"When you do what we did, you have to admit that you're going
to give something very important away," Lacroix said. "We know
that we gave good future for the Boston Bruins. On the other hand,
we have enough talent in our system to face the future."
As for Bourque's future? Lacroix said he will worry about that
after the season because Bourque has not committed himself to
another year in the NHL. The next four months could play a major
role in his decision.
"I haven't been satisfied by how I've been playing this year
and I think a challenge like a Stanley Cup run will bring the best
out of me and I sure hope it does," Bourque said. "That will
answer a lot of my questions with regards to whether I'm going to
play next year." | ALSO SEE Bruins' Bourque, Andreychuk land in Colorado Morganti: Ray of hope for Avs AUDIO/VIDEO   Avs GM Pierre Lacroix says Bourque and Andreychuk will be the perfect fit.wav: 189 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6  | |||||