Avs Fire Crackin' In July (Part I)

Chaz Mattson by Scribe Written on July 08, 2009
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Just in time for the week following July 4th, the Colorado Avalanche have put on a colorful display of reorganization, hirings, firings, retirements, trades, and free agent signings. With all these rockets blasting in an Avs red glare, it's time to look forward to what this July means and brings to the Colorado Avalanche's next season and beyond.

For those that follow the NHL regularly, there is no doubt that the Avalanche franchise has cooled off in recent years. Nearly a full decade removed from their last Stanley Cup Championship, Colorado has now made significant changes from top to bottom in an effort to better the franchise. No stone has been left unturned. With every member of the franchise going under full review, the organization as a whole has been revamped.

The goal has been to implement a fresh approach to get back to being one of the best professional hockey franchises in the league.

 

Front Office Moves

Pierre Lacroix, the former General Manager who brought two cups to the Denver market, has more say after stepping down as GM a few short years ago. The Avalanche fell short in the area of continuity while carrying on their tradition of winning hockey.

Lacroix’s new title is President and Alternate Governor, reflecting the fact that owner Stan Kroenke wants the Avalanche franchise to return to their once dominant ways. Pierre Lacroix has taken the direction from Mr. Kroenke to heart by revamping the rest of the front office, coaching staff and team roster. 

Most of the front office moves avalanched only one day after the end of the 2008-09 season. Francois Giguere was fired as General Manager. Next, Director of Player Personnel Michel Goulet stepped down from working with the club. Goulet apparently wanted to become the next GM, however it was not the direction the team wanted to go.

Moreover, incumbent head coach Tony Granato and his staff became an after-thought during the search for a new head coach when Patrick Roy’s name surfaced in serious discussions to become the new bench leader for the Avs. Roy turned down the team apparently due to the fact that the Avalanche are rebuilding.

 

Welcome the new Head Coach of the Colorado Avalanche

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written on July 08, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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