As possibly the only person on this list currently living in Colorado,
I am thrilled!

 - Dean V.

Avalanche sign Kariya and Selanne

7/3/2003

While other teams have been practicing financial restraint in the early
days of the free agent season, the Colorado Avalanche have broken the
bank, signing superstars Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya. Both were
unrestricted free agents.* *The move re-unites Selanne and Kariya, who
were linemates with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim from 1994 until March
2001 when Selanne was traded to the San Jose Sharks. The Avalanche will
make the official announcement at 4pm et.


Colorado was expected to be shopping for a goaltender this off-season
after future Hall-of-Famer Patrick Roy retired. Instead, the Avs made a
bold move to add more weapons to an already potent offence.

Kariya has scored 300 NHL goals and totaled 669 points in 606 games.
After scoring just 25 goals and 81 points last season, Kariya did not
receive a qualifying offer from the Ducks, who deemed his $10 million
price tag to be far too high.

Selanne has 436 goals and 919 points on 801 career NHL games. He scored
28 goals and 64 points last season with the Sharks, and San Jose decided
that was not enough production for $6.5 million a year.





Alexis Wollstadt wrote:

> ...although Paul Kariya is probably the most noticeable free agent
> (unrestricted no less) as far as Maine fans are concerned, here are
> the other former Black Bears that made the free agency list.
>
> Brett Clark - Colorado Avalanche - Group II
> David Cullen - Minnesota Wild - Group VI
> Chris Ferraro - Washington Capitals - Group VI
> Peter Ferraro - Washington Capitals - Unrestricted
> Ben Guite - Anaheim Mighty Ducks - Unrestricted
> Jim Montgomery - Dallas Stars - Unrestricted
> Scott Pellerin - Phoenix Coyotes - Group III
> Garth Snow - New York Islanders - Group III
>
> Please note (according to NHL.com) that some players on the list may
> have signed with their respective teams in the last few days, however
> their contracts have yet to be filed with the league. For a complete
> free agency listing and an explanation for the grouping, follow the
> link below.
>
> http://www.nhl.com/lineups/player/freelist03.html
>
> ~Lexy~