Laperriere Awaits Fate as Trade Deadline Nears
(from the Denver Post)
By Adrian Dater
The Denver Post
March 4, 2009 - Ellie Rolfs, a 3-year-old girl battling cancer, has become Ian Laperriere's biggest fan. And judging by the big hug he gave her Tuesday afternoon in the Avalanche locker room, the feeling is mutual.
Little Ellie doesn't follow the minutiae associated with the NHL trading deadline, but she knows there is a chance her hero might not be with the Avs after today. That would make a lot of Avs fans sad, not just her.
But Laperriere and other Avs players have no choice but to sit and wait until 1 p.m. today to find out who will stay and who will go from a team in last place in the Western Conference entering tonight's home game against the Detroit Red Wings.
"I don't think I'm going to go," Laperriere said, "but I might be surprised. We'll see."
Ellie, who has become something of an adopted daughter to many in the Avs dressing room, brightened an otherwise dispirited place Tuesday. A six-game, 13-day road trip ended 1-5-0 overall, and little hope remains for a playoff berth.
Because of that, the Avs are considered "sellers" at the deadline for the first time in team history. But as of Tuesday night, no deals had been announced. Deals usually don't start happening until the hour or two before the deadline.
Laperriere could be attractive to a contending team because he's eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer after recent talks toward a contract extension yielded no deal. Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere shied away from any media appearances Tuesday, and coach Tony Granato did not guide the team through an optional practice — although he was at the practice facility, working away from the ice.
Thus, it's still uncertain what the Avs might do. Their three highest-paid players (Ryan Smyth, Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk) believe they are not being shopped, and all three players have no-trade contracts, anyway, meaning the team would need their approval on any deal.
Late in the day Tuesday, Smyth said he hadn't received any calls from Giguere about waiving his no-trade clause or about any deal in the works. That doesn't mean something still can't happen, but Smyth is expecting to stay.
"I would be surprised if they did (approach) me," Smyth said.
At least one of three Avs defensemen — Jordan Leopold, Brett Clark or Ruslan Salei — is likely to be on the move today. Leopold could be the easiest to deal, given his unrestricted free-agent status, younger age and overall skill.
For the Avs, it has been a season of strange numbers. They have six of a possible six points against defending Cup champion Detroit, have beaten teams with Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby on them and have been tremendous in shootout games. Yet here they are, in last place.
"It's not fun taking a look at the standings and seeing your name there in last," Smyth said. "We just didn't do the little things right. For whatever reason, we just found ways to lose. We can't control this trade stuff, but you can control your work ethic and commitment to the team."
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
Note from Karen:
Read more about Ellie here
Ellie Blowing Kisses to Lappy - Courtesy of the Rolfs Family