Shell
07-11-2003, 01:36 PM
Friday, July 11, 2003 - 12:00:00 AM MST
Colorado buys out Keane
By Adrian Dater, Denver Post Sports Writer
Mike Keane, acquired twice by the Avalanche in the past eight years, has been cut loose by the team.
"Mike had his contract bought out by the team," Keane's agent, Lewis Gross, said Thursday, adding that Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix called Keane to inform him.
Keane, 36, had one year remaining on his contract, at $2 million. Under NHL bylaws, the Avs were able to buy out Keane for two-thirds of his salary - $1.3 million. That made him an unrestricted free agent.
"He's OK," Gross said of Keane. "He's going to play again next year."
Keane, a right wing, played parts of four seasons with the Avalanche. He was acquired by Colorado in 1995 along with Patrick Roy in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens. Keane left Colorado as a free agent in 1997 and was then reacquired from the St. Louis Blues in 2002 for left wing Shjon Podein. Keane has played for Stanley Cup winners in his 15-year career at Montreal (1993), Colorado ('96) and Dallas ('99).
Keane played 65 games for the Avs in 2002-03, scoring five goals for 10 points. His ice time diminished toward the end of the season, and he was a healthy scratch on occasion. The Avalanche tried to trade Keane, but his relatively large salary made it difficult.
Keane's departure creates an opportunity for some of the Avalanche's younger players to establish themselves on the third or fourth lines. Colorado re-signed right winger Brian Willsie, 25, for the coming season. He is likely to get most of Keane's ice time.
Colorado buys out Keane
By Adrian Dater, Denver Post Sports Writer
Mike Keane, acquired twice by the Avalanche in the past eight years, has been cut loose by the team.
"Mike had his contract bought out by the team," Keane's agent, Lewis Gross, said Thursday, adding that Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix called Keane to inform him.
Keane, 36, had one year remaining on his contract, at $2 million. Under NHL bylaws, the Avs were able to buy out Keane for two-thirds of his salary - $1.3 million. That made him an unrestricted free agent.
"He's OK," Gross said of Keane. "He's going to play again next year."
Keane, a right wing, played parts of four seasons with the Avalanche. He was acquired by Colorado in 1995 along with Patrick Roy in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens. Keane left Colorado as a free agent in 1997 and was then reacquired from the St. Louis Blues in 2002 for left wing Shjon Podein. Keane has played for Stanley Cup winners in his 15-year career at Montreal (1993), Colorado ('96) and Dallas ('99).
Keane played 65 games for the Avs in 2002-03, scoring five goals for 10 points. His ice time diminished toward the end of the season, and he was a healthy scratch on occasion. The Avalanche tried to trade Keane, but his relatively large salary made it difficult.
Keane's departure creates an opportunity for some of the Avalanche's younger players to establish themselves on the third or fourth lines. Colorado re-signed right winger Brian Willsie, 25, for the coming season. He is likely to get most of Keane's ice time.