DENVER, March 9 (UPI) -- Rhe Colorado Avalanche acquired former All-Star goatender Tommy Sao and traded defenseman Derek Morris before Tuesday's trade deadline.
To get Sao, the Avalanche sent the rights to defenseman Tom Gilbert and a 2005 sixth-round draft pick to the Edmonton Oilers. Colorado shipped Morris and defenseman Keith Ballard to the Phoenix Coyotes for center Chris Gratton, defenseman Ossi Vaananen and a 2005 second-round pick.
The 33-year-old Sao never has won a playoff series, losing in the Western Conference quarterfinals four times to the Dallas Stars. He is 17-18-6 with a 2.58 goals-against average in 2003-04 after winning at least 27 games each of the previous four seasons.
The 28-year-old Gratton has 11 goals and 18 assists with 93 penaty minutes in 66 games this season.
The 23-year-old Vaananen has picked up two goals, four assists and 87 penalty minutes in 67 games this season.
