Lemieux Winds Up With Colorado

Claude Lemieux, the Stanley Cup MVP for New Jersey last season, was traded twice, ending up in Colorado in a three-way deal featuring disgruntled stars who are among the NHL’s top forwards.

The Devils sent Lemieux to the New York Islanders for right wing Steve Thomas. The Islanders then traded Lemieux to the Avalanche for left wing Wendel Clark.

Lemieux scored 13 postseason goals in leading the Devils to their first NHL championship. But the 30-year-old right wing angered New Jersey management by challenging the validity of a contract he faxed to the team in the off-season, then failing to report to camp because of the dispute.

Keith Tkachuk became one of hockey’s three highest-paid players this season when the Winnipeg Jets matched the Chicago Blackhawks’ five-year, $17 million offer sheet to keep the left wing.