Non-Shocker of the Week: Tony Granato Fired as Avalanche Coach

Well you'd be lying if you said you didn't see this coming.

After having its worst record since moving from Quebec, the Colorado Avalanche officially parted ways with coach Tony Granato Wednesday.

It's no real surprise. After weeks of speculation that Patrick Roy was offered a position in Colorado, Roy announced last week that he indeed had turned down an offer.

Granato's successor is yet to be named, but Avalanche President Pierre LaCroix did announce the hiring of Greg Sherman as the team's new GM.

Sherman replaces Francois Giguere, who was fired in April after the team's last-place finish in the Western Conference.

"I look forward to the challenge," said Sherman in the media release.

"We all know the task ahead and we need to get to work. There are a lot of things to be done here."

"I am surrounded by a group that has great knowledge of the business and we are looking towards the future with a lot of optimism."

In addition to Granto's removal, assistant coaches Jacques Cloutier and Dave Barr, goaltending coach Jeff Hackett, assistant to the general manager Michel Goulet and video coordinator PJ DeLuca were also relieved of their respective duties by Colorado.

The Avalanche aslo announced some new management structure changes.

The team's new management structure will be as follows:

Craig Billington remains as Assistant GM, while Eric Lacroix is the new Director of Hockey Operations. 

Brad Smith remains as Director of Player Personnel and David Oliver, based in Cleveland with the teams AHL affiliate Lake Erie Monsters, is the new Director of Player Development.

In all likelihood, a new coach will be announced before the annual NHL Entry Draft near the end of the month.