Smyth not surprised about trade

"Like graffiti on a deserted factory building, Ryan Smyth could easily see the writing on the wall.
"Obviously, they wanted to move money, and I fit that criteria," Smyth said Saturday, one day after being traded by the Avalanche to the Los Angeles Kings for defensemen Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing and a fifth-round draft pick. "I'd heard the rumors, and usually when they're that strong, there's something to them."
Smyth thought the Avs would be the last team he ever played for when he signed a five-year, $31.25 million contract in 2007. It didn't turn out that way, not after a last-place finish in 2008-09 and the Avs in a rebuilding mode.
"They want to go younger and less expensive," Smyth said. "And I respect that. I have a lot of respect for Mr. (Stan) Kroenke and the Colorado organization."
Smyth has three more years on his deal, with a salary cap hit of $6.25 million. He waived his no-trade clause to go to the Kings, a team he believes is on the rise.
"There's some real good young players there. I'm excited to be part of their future," he said.
Bad luck, Smyth believes, played a large part in the Avalanche's lost season, one in which the team was last in the Western Conference in scoring (199) goals.

Denver Post