Avalanche acquire LW Konowalchuk from Capitals

DENVER (Ticker) - Considering the talent the Colorado Avalanche have, two wins in five games was enough to push the panic button.

The Avalanche on Wednesday acquired left wing Steve Konowalchuk and a 2004 third-round draft pick from the Washington Capitals for left wing Bates Battaglia and right wing Jonas Johansson.

After signing free agent All-Stars Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne for bargain-basement prices in the offseason, Colorado began the campaign with an impressive 5-0 victory over Chicago.

But the Avalanche dropped three of their next four games, including a 4-1 setback to Boston on Tuesday, and held a closed-door meeting afterward to address their situation.

General manager Pierre Lacroix wasted little time in making a move, bringing in the veteran Konowalchuk to add grit and leadership.

"Steve Konowalchuk is a reliable, experienced forward capable of playing at both ends of the ice," Avalanche vice president of player personnel Michel Goulet said. "He can play in a variety of roles, and we are pleased to add a quality player like Steve to our roster."

The arrival of Konowalchuk comes at a perfect time for the Avalanche, who announced Wednesday that Kariya will miss an indefinite amount of time with a sprained wrist.

"After further examination earlier this afternoon, it was determined that Paul Kariya had sprained his right wrist midway through the game last night," Colorado trainer Pat Karns said.

"Paul will be out indefinitely, but fortunately, nothing is broken."

A seven-time All-Star, Kariya, 29, joined Colorado after nine seasons with Anaheim, including its incredible journey to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2002-03. He has three goals and two assists in five games with the Avalanche.

Konowalchuk has one assist in six contests this season. He was named captain of the Capitals prior to the 2002-03 season and has 146 goals and 196 assists in 693 games.

The 31-year-old Utah native enjoyed his best season in 2000-01, when he set career highs with 24 goals and 47 points.

The Avalanche part ways with Battaglia, who was acquired from Carolina at the trade deadline last March.

After being drafted by Anaheim in 1994, Battaglia, 27, spent parts of six seasons with the Hurricanes, including their unexpected run to the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals. In 419 NHL games, he has 64 goals and 93 assists with 295 penalty minutes.

Washington also acquired the 19-year-old Johansson, who was selected 28th overall in the 2002 draft. Despite missing a good portion of last season with a broken ankle, the Swede recorded 10 goals and 35 points in 26 games with Kamloops of the Western Hockey League.

To make up for Kariya's absence, the Avalanche recalled left wing Brad Larsen from Hershey of the American Hockey League.

After being acquired from Ottawa in 1996, Larsen re-entered the draft and was selected by the Avalanche the following year. In 66 games with Colorado over parts of four seasons, he has two goals and 10 assists.


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