Multiple outlets are reporting that Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy has turned down an offer to coach the Colorado Avalanche next season. I know this might sound like bad news to the Avalanche and their fans right now—but it might be the best news they receive all off-season! It was rumored that they also offered Patrick Roy the open General Manager position, but those reports were never confirmed. Regardless, he doesn’t want that job either. Like we said before, he’d be a horrible fit and set up to fail from Day 1 in Colorado. Talk about dodging a bullet.
Patrick Roy: NOT the new Avalance Head Coach
Roy stated that he’s turning down the job(s) in Denver because he’d like to spend more time with his family. As much as I’d like to poke fun at Roy’s fatherly tactics, it’s really just too easy. He’ll announce his intentions to stay with the Quebec Remparts a press conference today; no goaltender brawls or cross-checks to the face are expected. Sorry.
Back in the Rockies, what do the Avalanche do going forward? Obviously, they have to fill their vacant GM position. That much is clear. But after this highly publicized offer (and rejection) of the head coaching position, it looks like they’re going to be on the hunt for a head coach as well. Even if they WANTED to keep Tony Granato around—and even if he was willing—I think the equipment manager would have more respect in the locker room right now. When the going gets tough next year (and look at their record, it will get tough), why would the players listen to a coach that they KNOW doesn’t have the organization behind him?
So here’s the quick recap—Tony Granato is still the Avalanche coach and was never relieved of his duties (even though the offered the job to Roy). There’s speculation that Roy was also offered the open GM position. Regardless, today the Avalanche sit with a lame duck head coach and an empty desk in the GM’s office. All the sudden, that 15th place finish in the Western Conference isn’t looking like the worst part of their year.
Matt Reitz
Matt Reitz is an NHL Writer for ProHockeyTalk on NBCSports and the Editor-In-Chief here at ViewFromMySeats.com. When he's not shoving a mic in the face of NHLers or explaining why home teams should wear white, he's usually trying to figure out what song to play next on his iPod. It's a never-ending job.
