ANAHEIM, CALIF. — The Avalanche welcomed back an old friend today — Stephane Yelle.
The Avs this afternoon acquired Yelle, who played on two Stanley Cup-winning teams with Colorado, from the Carolina Hurricanes, along with prospect Harrison Reed, in exchange for prospect Cedric-Lalonde McNicholl and a sixth-round choice in this year’s NHL draft.
The Avs said the trade had not been finalized officially, but would be later on in the day. Yelle will not be in the lineup for tonight’s game with Anaheim.
Yelle was the Avs’ third-line center for nearly seven seasons, making valuable contributions to two title teams. He was traded by Colorado in 2003, along with Chris Drury, to the Calgary Flames and has played for two teams since.
Yelle, 35, had four goals and seven points in 59 games for Carolina this season. He played with Boston the previous two seasons. He is in the final year of a contract that pays $550,000.
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com and
