SAN JOSE, Calif., March 9 (UPI) -- The San Jose Sharks, continuing to trade away parts of a disappointing team, sent defenseman Bryan Marchment to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night for third- and fifth-round picks in the 2003 draft.
The trade was completed after the Sharks squandered a three-goal lead in a 6-4 loss at Phoenix that left them 13 points out of the final NHL Western Conference playoff berth. It also came three nights after San Jose shipped captain Owen Nolan to Toronto for centers Alyn McCauley and Brad Boyes and a draft pick.
"Bryan was a throwback and was always there for his teammates on and off the ice. That is what he stands for," Sharks General Manager Dean Lombardi said. "Because of what he meant to us, I wanted to send him to a place that he wanted to go and we were able to accomplish that."
Marchment, 33, has two goals, nine assists and 108 penalty minutes in 67 games. He is being paid $3 million and is eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1.
"Bryan was a big part of the identity of this team," Lombardi said. "In my opinion, he is paid the highest compliment as an athlete - you hate to play against him, but everyone wants someone like him on their team."
Marchment has a history of questionable hits and served four suspensions totaling 13 games from 1997-98 to 2001-02.
The 6-1, 200-pound Marchment goes from last-place San Jose to Colorado, which is four points behind first-place Vancouver in the Northwest Division. He joins a defense that includes former Norris Trophy winner Rob Blake, Adam Foote and Derek Morris.
It is another key acquisition for Avalanche General Manager Pierre Lacroix, who has added big names like Blake, Theo Fleury, Ray Bourque and Darius Kasparaitis at the trade deadline.
