Rob Blake Almost Went to New Jersey Instead of Colorado
One of Lou Lamoriello’s marquee tendencies was if he felt his team could win a Stanley Cup, he wouldn’t shy away from making a splash at the trade deadline. Lamoriello wasn’t as successful in acquiring any top-end talent during the 2001 trade deadline, but you can’t say he didn’t try.
One particular player Lamoriello pursued was then-longtime Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Blake. The veteran blue liner was rumored to be available for much of the 2000-01 season, and slated to become an unrestricted free agent that summer. Los Angeles wanted Scott Gomez, who was in his sophomore season, and coming off a Calder Trophy-winning rookie campaign. Lamoriello abstained from parting with Gomez, but reportedly countered by offering defensive forward Jay Pandolfo.
Lamoriello allegedly shopped Pandolfo for defensive help to other teams, but held onto both his young forwards. Knowing Lou, he must have thought Los Angeles’ asking price for a potential rental was too high. The Kings ended up shipping Blake to the Colorado Avalanche, who (as we all know) defeated the New Jersey Devils in the Stanley Cup Finals that year.
Blake went on to play the next four seasons in Colorado, over which he tallied 60 goals and 198 points. Like the Messier deal, this sheds light on those “what could have been” scenarios. How much more dominant would that Devils defense have been with Blake in the mix? Do the Devils win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships if they—and not Colorado—wound up getting Blake at the 2001 trade deadline?