Ryan Smyth Traded to LA Kings
July 4, 2009 by Jeanne Dupuis
Filed under Colorado Avalanche, NHL, News, Trades
Ryan Smyth was traded to the Colorado Avalanche just two years ago by the Edmonton Oilers but the star player is moving again. The Los Angeles Kings have acquired Smyth and sent the Avs defenceman Kyle Quincey, Tom Preissing and a fifth-round pick in exchange. There were three years remaining on Smyth’s $31.25 million, 5-year deal with Colorado.
The Kings have really been struggling lately but at least the weather in LA is better than Denver, right? fortunately, he seems pretty happy about the move: "They have great young players. I’ve always thought the world of (Anze) Kopitar since playing against him at the World Championships in Austria where he dominated. To play with him and Drew Doughty and (Dustin) Brown…these are great young players and I’m excited about that."
The Avalanche have also had it rough since many players, including Smyth, have been plagued with injuries (Joe Sakic almost seemed like someone had put a hex on him). Still, he might not have had a stellar year but it was decent. Smyth finished last season with 26 goals and 33 assists in 77 games.
The erstwhile “Captain Canada” has also been invited to the orientation camp for the upcoming 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
image: TSN
