Veteran Foote returning to Avalanche
What was old in Colorado suddenly is becoming new again.
Less than 24 hours after signing former Avalanche forward Peter Forsberg to a free-agent contract, general manager Francois Giguere brought back defenceman Adam Foote about two hours before Tuesday's 3 p.m. ET NHL trade deadline.
Giguere sent a conditional first-round draft pick and a fourth-round selection to the Columbus Blue Jackets. It will reportedly be a 2008 first-round pick if the Avalanche make the playoffs. If not, it's a 2009 first-rounder.
Also, if Foote re-signs with Colorado, the Blue Jackets apparently will receive another draft pick.
"Colorado has always been a special place for me and my family," said Foote. "I have some amazing memories of my time there and the fans have always been great. I'm looking forward to getting back and helping the team compete for a playoff spot."
Foote, 36, is in the final year of a three-year, $13.5 million US contract and will become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
He spent 13 years with Quebec/Colorado and won Stanley Cups with the Avalanche in 1996 and 2001. He left for Columbus as a free agent after the NHL lockout wiped out the 2004-05 campaign.
In 986 career games, Foote has 65 goals, 283 points and 1,395 penalty minutes.
He was also part of Canada's gold medal team at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Skrastins to Panthers for Salei
In other Avalanche news, Giguere swapped defencemen with Florida, sending Karlis Skrastins to the Panthers for Ruslan Salei.
Salei, 33, recorded 23 points in 65 games with the Panthers this season. A year ago, he had six goals and 26 assists, both career highs.
Giguere called Salei "a solid and reliable asset on the blue-line."
An 11-year veteran, Salei spent the last two seasons with Florida after nine with the Anaheim Ducks. He's missed only four games in the past four years.
Skrastins, 33, has four points in 43 games this season. In 582 career NHL regular-season games with Colorado and Nashville, he has 96 points.