Bruins Trade Bourque To Avalanche

NHL teams

"We limited ourselves to teams where Raymond Bourque would have a chance to win the Stanley Cup," Bruins general manager Harry Sinden said after Boston's 5-1 loss to Ottawa.

The 39-year-old defenseman was traded along with forward Dave Andreychuk for forward Brian Rolston, defenseman Martin Grenier, center Sami Pahlsson and Boston's choice of a first-round pick in either 2000 or 2001.

"With this acquisition, we've brought in the greatest defenseman of all time, and the greatest sniper in Dave Andreychuk. We're thrilled," Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix said. "With his presence and charisma, as a person he's going to bring a lot to this team."

Bourque was believed to be going to Philadelphia, the deal reportedly falling apart Monday as the teams were finishing the details. The Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues were also thought to be interested in Bourque.

"I assume we're not the only team that's disappointed," Flyers general manager Bobby Clarke said.

Bourque, who was drafted by the Bruins in 1979, has won five Norris Trophies as the league's top defenseman. His 395 career regular-season goals places him first among defenseman in NHL history.

In both appearances in the Stanley Cup finals, in 1988 and 1990, the Bruins lost to the Edmonton Oilers. The Bruins are likely to miss the playoffs this year for the second time since 1967 and Bourque is in the twilight of his career. With the Avalanche he will have one more chance to win the Stanley Cup.