Foote has registered 65 goals, 218 assists, 283 points and 1,395 penalty minutes in 986 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets and Avalanche.
"We're extremely pleased to announce to our fans that Adam Foote is returning to the Avalanche," said Avalanche GM Francois Giguere. "His veteran presence and proven leadership abilities will be a tremendous boost to our entire team as we head into a crucial time of our season. His presence on our blue line gives us an increased physical presence for the stretch drive."
In exchange for Fedorov, the Blue Jackets receive defenseman Theo Ruth from Washington.
Detroit Red Wings (1997, '98 and 2002), won the Hart Trophy as the league MVP in 1994 and won the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward in 1994 and ’96.
The native of Pskov, Russia, Fedorov has nine goals and 28 points in 50 games this season for the Blue Jackets.
Detroit's fourth choice, 74th overall, in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, Fedorov ranks 47th in NHL history in career points (10th among active players), 50th in career goals (12th among active players) and 54th in career assists (13th among active players). Fedorov's career plus/minus rating of +259 ranks second among all active forwards, trailing only Jaromir Jagr (+272).
Ruth, 19, was a second round pick, 46th overall, of the Capitals in the 2007 Entry Draft and is currently playing for the University of Notre Dame (Central Collegiate Hockey Association).
