Article: AVS' RIVALS IMPROVED IN OFF-SEASON WESTERN CONFERENCE PROMISES TO BE A TEST.(Special Pullouts)

Byline: Jim Benton News Staff Writer

Western Conference general managers dived headfirst into the free-agent market during the summer in an effort to keep up with the Stanley Cup champions.

Colorado spent millions to keep its core group together, signing Joe Sakic, Patrick Roy and Rob Blake before they could become unrestricted free agents.

But the Avalanche actually might have dropped back to the pack when defenseman Ray Bourque retired, defenseman Jon Klemm signed with Chicago and All-Star center Peter Forsberg announced he is taking an indefinite leave from the game. Defenseman Adam Foote probably will miss three to four weeks while recovering from shoulder ...

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