Through the last 4 months, Colorado general manager has been turning offers away, stating he "didn't want to mess with team chemistry".
"Ya, I should have stuck to my guns, but I read the "Race for the Playoffs" article saying we needed a 2nd line defender. Well, like a jackass, I listened to it and went out and picked up Patrice Brisbois, and dealt Teppo Numminen away. Now we are mired in a losing skid at the worst possible time. Detroit is winning hand over fist, and now sit only two points back of us. I'm afraid we are going to lose top spot in the west." said Russell. "I lay the blame directly on the shoulders of Jamie Hoover. He wrote that damn article that got me thinking about a deal. Damn him, damn him to hell, that damn dirty ape."
What's next for the Avs, do they continue to deal to try and break out of the slump?
"We are working on a deal for a number one center, but we are very hesitant, as we may have to give up too much future for an unrestricted player. Our trading partner is sticking to his guns on this." explained Russell. "Hopefully we can get something done before the deadline is over."
On another front, the Avs have moved farm hand center, Steve Moore to Vancouver.
"In a different dimension, Moore is mired in controversy, so we deemed it best to get rid of him now in case somehow, someway, that controversy were to sneak into the OTHL." said Russell. Last thing we need is to be involved in a lawsuit from a completely different dimension. Sheesh, imagine what the scientists would say about dimensional shifts, and time travel, blah, blah, blah."
This caught most reporters off guard, as they figure Russell was hopped up on something to make that staement about the Moore deal.