In a time when most NHL teams are trying to move forward, (albeit slowly in the case of some -See NY Islanders) The Colorado Avalanche seem to be taking steps backwards.
Going back to the memory box is a nice way to burn a lazy evening, but using it as a building strategy for a hockey team is dubious at best.
Going into the playoffs the 'Lanche decided that even with very exciting young talents such as Paul Stastny, John Michael Liles and Tyler Arnason, they really needed to put the old band back together and return Adam Foote and Pete Forsberg to the dressing room.
Now it’s hard to argue that getting the old jersey on “Foppa” wasn’t a decent move, but it shows a desperation that doesn’t quite make sense considering the younger potential skating around Denver.
So now it may not seem that surprising that Tony Granato has been returned as coach of the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, four years after he was demoted from the job.
Parting ways with Joel Quenneville, who the Avalanche said goodbye to around two weeks ago (by mutual agreement) was probably not a bad move, but this attempt to give Tony Granato a mulligan, along with their last few moves, has made their strategy seem like “one step forward – two steps back.”
It’s now somewhat easy to see what the next moves will be for the Avalanche:
Marc Crawford will be brought in as assistant coach.
Limited by the spotty play of Budaj and Theodore, Colorado will attempt to upgrade at that position, but will actually startle many by convincing Patrick Roy to return (with smaller pads).
In an effort to beef up their “D” Colorado will trade Liles for Rob Blake, pick up Sandis Ozolinsh and then put the full-court press on Deadmarsh and Bourque to come out of retirement.
To really get that "old days" feel back in play, they will make 2 VERY bold moves by reverting back to the Nordiques’ uniform but, (in an attempt to avoid complete confusion) they’ll change the team name to the Colorado Rockies.
To give their premiere leader a rejuvenating “shot in the arm” – the Av’s will literally give Joe Sakic a shot in the arm… a massive dose of hormones and four Botox treatments. Other teams will be completely fooled, thinking Joe has somehow returned to the age of 30.
Finally, the team will release reprinted calendars from 2001 and distribute them to the fans to reinforce the illusion of some kind of crazy time travel experience.
Unfortunately, the ticket prices will remain at 2009 levels.
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4 months ago
wow, you don't really understand the avs at all do you?
granato was brought back in because his style of coaching still works. among active coaches, he is 5th overall in win percentage. he can coach to every style player.
foote was brought back for the main reason of getting scott hannan into the same role as he is. hannan is considered to be one of the best players to play like adam foote. besides, foote is still one of the league leaders in shot blocking.
forsberg was a risk, but he has chemistry with the players and a fan base, and just his sheer presence was enough to boost other players.
and how can you say that they didn't make a forward progression. they were among the top 3 teams that had the most rookies playing this season. but with the way quenneville coached, it didn't work. that's the main reason why they brought those guys back, to mix things up and give the avs a different style.
and sakic doesn't need rejuvination. how about his 101 point season last year? second oldest player to break 100 pts. he hasn't missed a beat even with the injury.
from 4 months ago
Actually, Joe, I agree with you - I was just poking a little fun the Av's way.
But I will call you on one point - I have no time for the argument that Granato's "style of coaching still works" - you don't know this yet. No one will know how this experiment works out until next year.
Then we'll see.
4 months ago
Actually, we do know about his style of coaching, because he WAS the coach lol
I guess some of it will depend on what happens this Summer, and what kind of team he will have to work with.
from 4 months ago
So why did they fire him? Because he was too good?
Hey, I like Tony, Forsberg and Footer - but you hit the nail on the head - success will depend on what they have next season.
4 months ago
very true. i think we do know about his style simply because he knows what worked in the past, he knows what didn't work since the rule changes and the lock-out, and he can adapt his own coaching style to fit the game on the fly, unlike coach q. but you're right, we will see what happens next season
4 months ago
I hate when people call the AVS the "Lanche. That's when you know that someone doesn't follow the team that close, because anyone who does and is a fan of the team doesn't say that.
"Yawn" the Forsberg bashing is so tiring. If you look at his numbers since he returned, it speaks for itself. The guy was playing with groin problems every time he played, but still he put up great numbers and made a difference.
Adam Foote is and will be a GREAT defenseman until he retires. Lets not forget that was paired with Sauer, who is an immobile tower, Foote was doing the work for both of them.
These are just the little facts that people forget to include in their write ups. I hope that Forsberg does come back, maybe if he has the summer to train and get into game shape he won't have so many problems. I blame Coach Q for playing Foppa 20+ minutes when he first came back, that should have never happened and as the Coach it was his decision.
4 months ago
Oh, and I forgot to mention that the hardcore, over-sensitive, "Lanche" fans will completely drink this kool-aid willingly.
(Relax guys! I'm sure you're all superior "Lanche" experts, but nobody's bashing Forsberg, Foote or Granato. The bottom line is they're going back to old players and coaches)
It may work - it may not. We'll see.
It just didn''t work for this playoff run. And that's the only FACT we have right now. The rest is just fan bias and defensive retaliation.
4 months ago
Funny article, the others that commented on this prior to myself took it a little too seriously...
By the way, If Roy comes out of retirement, I will be at every game the Avalanche play in.
from 4 months ago
Me too, Patrick Roy is the best!
from 4 months ago
And you're right, Andy, I think the guys who left the other comments missed the "Satire" and "Humor" tags I put on the article. Clearly I was just poking a little fun at the situation.
from 4 months ago
Like I said, I found it funny.
And yeah, St. Patrick was so fun to watch. I have an autograph from him on a puck from the last all star game he played in. It's one of my many prized posessions.
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