Patrick Roy Soon to Be a Coach in the NHL?

Despite saying otherwise, the persistent rumors linking former NHL goalie Patrick Roy being the next Colorado Avalanche head coach won’t go away.

This Hall of Fame goalie, who backstopped the Avalanche to a couple of Stanley Cup titles (1996, 2001), was recently in town where he had meetings with Colorado president Pierre Lacroix, according to the Denver Post.

Roy, who started his career with the Montreal Canadiens before being traded to the Avs in 1995, didn’t say much when asked about the rumor of being offered the coaching position.

“I never received an offer…but anyway, I’m not commenting,” said Roy, who in his career won 551 games. Currently, Tony Granato is still the coach and has two years remaining on his three year contract.

Roy is the co-owner, general manager, and coach of the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) and has been consistent in his definite answers when asked about the coaching speculations.

“I talked to him this morning and he said all those reports are speculation, he never received a formal offer,” said Nicole Bouchard, director of media relations for the Ramparts.

Another coaching rumor has Roy, who led the Remparts to a Memorial Cup victory in 2006, becoming the next head coach for the Montreal Canadiens. Only time will tell where Roy ends up.

“Patrick is a very deliberate guy who analyzes everything,” said Jacques Demers, who coached Roy and the Canadiens to a Stanley Cup victory in 1993.

“He’s not necessarily going to take the first job that might come along. He’s going to want to go into a situation he thinks is on the right track and that he’s going to feel comfortable with.”

Patrick hung up his skates in 2003.