Top Ten Denver Trades of the Past 15 Years

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10) Feb. 22, 2001: Avalanche receive Rob Blake and Steve Reinprecht (the Badger!) from Kings for Adam Deadmarsh, Aaron Miller, and a first-rounder

9) Dec. 13, 2006: Rockies receive Willy Taveras, Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsh from Astros for Jason Jennings and Miguel Asencio

8) April 2, 2009: Broncos receive Kyle Orton, two first-rounders and a third-rounder from Bears for Jay Cutler

7) March 4, 2004: Broncos receive Champ Bailey and a second-rounder from Redskins for Clinton Portis

6) Dec. 19, 2006: Nuggets receive Allen Iverson and Ivan McFarlin from 76ers for Andre Miller, Joe Smith, and two first-rounders

5) Nov. 12, 2008: Rockies receive Carlos Gonzalez, Huston Street and Greg Smith from Athletics for Matt Holliday

4) Dec. 6, 1995: Avalanche receive Patrick Roy and Mike Keane from Canadiens for Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Rucinsky and Andrei Kovalenko

3) March 6, 2000: Avalanche receive Ray Bourque and Dave Andreychuk from Bruins for Brian Rolston, Martin Grenier, Samuel Pahlsson and a first-rounder

2) Nov. 3, 2008: Nuggets receive Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb from Pistons for Allen Iverson

1) June 30, 1992: Quebec Nordiques trade C Eric Lindros to Flyers for C Peter Forsberg, C Mike Ricci, G Ron Hextall, D Steve Duchesne, D Kerry Huffman, F Chris Simon, two first-round picks (eventually G Jocelyn Thibault and F Nolan Baumgartner) and $15 million

Thibault was traded straight-up for some other goaltender. His name is Patrick Roy. He was somewhat important to the franchise.

Through a long, winded road that Sports Illustrated, well, illustrated about 6 years ago, the Avs ended up using components of that trade to land defensemen Ray Bourque and Rob Blake. Those two - you know, along with everybody else - were instrumental in winning the 2001 Stanley Cup.

The hilarious part of this trade is the $15 million. And the two draft picks. Like five players wasn't enough. Thank you, Philadelphia. The Avs enjoyed unbelievable glory years because of you. In the words of John Kelly: "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"