Deadmarsh's 2001 move produced a rare former-team playoff matchup

Colorado went on to win the Stanley Cup

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 251 min read

What happened: Colorado eliminated Los Angeles in Game 7 of the 2001 Western Conference semifinals after sending Adam Deadmarsh and Aaron Miller to the Kings on Feb. 21. Rob Blake and Steven Reinprecht went to the Avalanche in the same deal.

Why it matters: The swap occurred roughly three weeks before the trade deadline rather than on deadline day. It shows how a late-season deal can quickly put players opposite the club that moved them.

By the numbers: Feb. 21, 2001: trade completed. Western Conference semifinals: Colorado won the series in seven games. Stanley Cup Final: Colorado defeated New Jersey for the championship.

What to watch: Comparable cases hinge on whether a transaction occurred on deadline day or during the broader pre-deadline window.

Sources

r/hockey 2026-07-25T05:55:34.412622+00:00

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