Laperriere Gets King's Ransom In Colorado
(from the Daily News)
By Matt McHale
Staff Writer
July 2, 2004 - Ian Laperriere, the gritty right winger who scrapped and fought his way into the hearts of every Kings fan, agreed to terms Friday with the Colorado Avalanche on a deal that could pay him $5.4 million over four guaranteed seasons.
Laperriere, 30, played eight seasons with the Kings and scored a career-high 10 goals last season.
But it was his emergence as a team leader the past few seasons, especially after captain Rob Blake was traded to Colorado in 2001, that made him such a valuable member of the organization.
"This is a sad day, but it also is an exciting one for me," Laperriere said from his home in Montreal. "I have nothing but great memories of my time with the Kings and their great, great fans. But this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it was too good to pass up."
The move comes a day after defenseman Jaroslav Modry ended his career with the Kings. The 2002 All-Star agreed to terms with the Atlanta Thrashers on a three-year deal worth $7 million.
The Kings, who paid Modry $900,000 last year, negotiated with him until acquiring Stephan Quintal last week from the Montreal Canadiens. Although Quintal is more of a defensive defenseman than Modry, the re-signing of Nathan Dempsey to a three-year deal in May is expected to fill the offensive void.
Meanwhile, a Slovakian newspaper quoted Ziggy Palffy, who became a free agent after rejecting a three-year, $19.5 million offer from the Kings, as saying he wants to sign with a team that has a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup.
"I'm over 30 and I'd like to play for the Stanley Cup," Palffy told the daily Pravda on Friday. "That motivates more than an annual fear whether we'll get to the playoffs."
He said he was looking for a four- or five-year contract, "probably my last one in the NHL."
"During our negotiations, Ziggy's agent (Paul Kraus) said he wanted to stay in L.A.," Kings general manager Dave Taylor said. "We've negotiated based on that assumption. I don't know who he has been talking to."
Laperriere became a free agent Wednesday because he was a 10-year veteran whose $900,000 salary was well below the NHL average ($1.7 million).
The Kings made him a qualifying offer of one year at $990,000 but also tried to tie him up with a three-year deal worth $3.6 million.
Laperriere actually received a larger offer from the Chicago Blackhawks. The Thrashers and Florida Panthers also joined the bidding.
But the Avalanche represented Laperriere's best chance of reaching the Stanley Cup. He will make $1.4 million each of the next three seasons. Colorado holds an option for the 2007-08 season at $1.2. million. Laperriere also holds an option for that season at $800,000.
"I heard from a lot of people (Friday)," Laperriere said. "I talked to Luc (Robitaille) a lot during the past few weeks on what I should do. He has been through this. I talked to Eric Belanger.
"But one of the first calls I got was from Rob Blake. He wanted to welcome me to the organization. I think if the Avalanche were not involved, I definitely would have gone back to the Kings. But now I feel I have the best chance I've ever had to win the Cup."
Laperriere played last season on a line with Belanger and youngster Sean Avery. When the scrappy Avery was acquired from the Detroit Red Wings in March 2003, many thought he would one day replace Laperriere. In Avery's first full season, Laperriere often counseled him on keeping his temper in check. Avery still led the NHL in penalty minutes.
"He was such a joy to coach," said the Kings' Andy Murray. "He never took a shift off and he had great heart and passion. I will miss him very much."
Laperriere's head-strong playing style did not come without a price. He missed a month last season with the sixth concussion of his career.
He would have been eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after next season. But with the possibility of an NHL work stoppage in September if a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached, Laperriere said he had to act now.
"The way it looks now, there is not going to be a season next year," said Laperriere, who was the Kings players representative. "The owners want a hard cap and we just won't settle for that. The fourth year I got from the Avs gives my family added security."
In other NHL free-agent signings Friday, Florida got goalie Jamie McLennan to sign a two-year contract with a club option for a third; Chicago added two free agents, center Curtis Brown and right winger Matthew Barnaby; and Calgary re-signed left wing Chris Simon and locked in forward Byron Ritchie.