Where there's smoke?

[blny]

www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=74467

TSN is reporting that media in Washington and Denver have the Caps and Avs are close to a deal that would send Kolzig and Gonchar to Colorado for Morris and a prospect/pick.

I understand the desire to land Gonchar, but is it worth it when Kolzig is part of the package? Olaf is set to make $6.5m next season. That's an awfully expensive insurance policy for Aebischer. Is McPhee's goal to move both at the same time? It makes sense from his end, but I'd be hesitant if I were Lacroix.

[rhabdo]

Lacroix always seems to go for the here and now. The Avs have a long list of alumni playing in the NHL as well as a lot of roster players drafted by other teams that came to them in trades. One of these days he won't have the resources and he'll have to be more willing to accept trades that the other GMs make because they want to unload salary.

[jkr]

I don't see this from the Avs side. Aebischer has been very strong all year. If Kolzig comes for $13million over two years he won't be backing up. It looks like a real slap at his present goalie.

I could see a Morris and picks offer getting Gonchar but not Kolzig too.