Colorado Avalanche: What's Next?

Well, you knew the ride would end, eventually.

They played a good series against the Wild, besting them as an underdog.

But, unfortunately, the next round paired them up with a Detroit Red Wing team, that has had few lapses...and a history of hating Colorado.

Mind you, it didn't stop Colorado from playing some close games. But close games only help, if you win them...and in four straight...Colorado is now looking at its future.

A number of players will become free agents. They also got rid of Joel Quenneville, who had been the coach for three years. Probably his most impressive period was last year, when the Avs went on a tear, only to fall one point short of a playoff berth.

Shortly before the trading deadline, the team assembled a cast of returning players. Forsberg came back, teaming with Adam Foote to mix with aged vets Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk.

And the rookies played some impressive games too.

So, what's next for the Avs?

Well, the first issue is going to be finding a coach. Patrick Roy has been mentioned, but would prefer to stay in Canada. Tony Granato is also on the Avs hit list, but it's a question of if he'd work with taskmaster Pierre LaCroix again. Then comes the hardest part of all, picking from among the 30 or so free agents, keeping the ones that may help next year and sending the rest packing.

One thing does stand out in my mind, though. Thinking back to the early days of Avalanche hockey...if you look at the NHL right now it's interesting to see how the players have spread out,Roy is coaching in the minors, Blake for all his hard-nosed hockey, is still out there.

It's going to be a waiting game, again...

But if the Avs could retool, and appear in the playoffs...maybe next year, they'll finally get the recipe right.

The final question though, will be on one player.....will Joe Sakic still be in town, or will he join Deadmarsh in retirement?