Colorado Avalanche: Big Trade a Big Bust One Year Later

Unless your idea of fun is sitting around watching TSN analysts trying to convince you not to change the channel by referencing all of the "big trades on the way", the 2009-2010 NHL trade deadline was a dud.

There was, however, one move of note between the Colorado Avalanche and Phoenix Coyotes. The Avalanche sent forward Wojtek Wolski to Phoenix in exchange for forwards Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter.

The trade came as a shock to many; Wolski, 24 at the time, was in the midst of a breakout season with 47 points in 62 games and was viewed by many as a core piece of the Avalanche.

Mueller, a former eighth overall draft pick in 2006, was viewed in a completely different light. With only four goals and 17 points in 54 games with Phoenix, many began to question his dedication and focus to the NHL. Kevin Porter, an AHL forward, didn't seem like much of a deal sweetener.

Fast forward 13 months and a deal which seemed to tilt greatly in the Coyotes favor has turned out to be a very even trade...even in the sense that it hasn't worked out well for either team.

Wolski had a great debut with the Coyotes, scoring 18 points in the 18 remaining games for the 2009-2010 season. But after signing a two year, 7.6 million dollar contract in the offseason, Wolski quickly worked himself out of Phoenix's long term plans.

Following a morbid six goal, 16 point start in the Coyotes first 36 games, Wolski was dealt to the New York Rangers, where he's been equally as unimpressive.

For the Colorado Avalanche, Peter Mueller showed great potential in his 15 games with the Avalanche, scoring 20 points. But a concussion at the end of 2009-2010, followed up by another concussion in the offseason, has forced Mueller to sit out all of 2010-2011.

Kevin Porter, the lesser known player in the deal, has arguably been the most valuable player in 2010-2011. At times skating on the Avalanche's top line, Porter has set a career high in goals (13) and points (23) this season.

The moral of the story is this...you don't know until you know. If any trade in NHL history was evidence of how long it takes to determine the "winner" of a trade, it's the Avalanche/Coyotes swap of 2009-2010.