Avs

[pcm]

Pretty exciting out here in Colorado. Roy to be the new coach. He and Sakic will infuse a new mentality to this organization that has wandered in the abyss of lost sheep the past 10 years... They get Seth Jones with 1st overall pick. A perfect storm for this organization.

It reminds me of the Pens starting fresh with Lemiuex retiring, handing the reins to Crosby, Shero coming on board to replace CP. It was the start of an era.

I see good things ahead for the Avs. They need to rebuild their blueline, which they're off to a great start with Jones, change the culture for these young players, and become harder to play against. I could see them pulling a Montreal next season and really making some noise. Except they've got the higher end talent to go even farther.

[mikey287]

Yes, very interesting in Colorado. Hopefully they flush out some of that garbage (the five #6/7 d-men they dress every night for instance). Interesting that Patrick Roy will be both above (VP of Hockey Ops) and below (head coach) current GM Greg Sherman. Interesting dynamic.

This is Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic's team now, like you said. That's part of Patrick Roy's deal: total control. Was like that as a player (demanding a trade from Montreal in 1995, refusing to go to the 1998 Olympics unless he could play every second of every game), was like that as a junior coach/GM with the Quebec Remparts, and he'll be like that now...

Sherman, I'm guessing, will just handle the day to day stuff, some contract negotiations, yada yada, but the image of the team with be molded by the guys whose jerseys hang in the rafters...Sherman I think will resign to save face when another job opportunity presents itself and just bow out gracefully and the Avs can promote a puppet GM from within or bring in a "specialist" type of GM that helps augment the leadership group there...

Now, the Seth Jones pick gets interesting doesn't it...? Seems like a slam dunk, but not so fast my friend! Patrick Roy has a ton of knowledge of the QMJHL and seems to prefer a flashy, offensive attack style: Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin are right there too. I think they'll end up with Seth Jones because their blueline stinks out loud, but it certainly makes it a discussion now depending on how much Roy likes/liked the Mooseheads duo...

[pcm]

Definitely found Roy's dual titles to be interesting...

I think Seth Jones is a slam dunk. I think he's part of the story Sakic sold to get Roy on board, and part of the story they'll sell to get the fans back on board, who have largely given up on this organization (though there are a surprising number of hockey fans round these parts). If Colorado becomes a real team again, and I believe they will be---very soon...like next year---there's a huge contingent here that will make Denver a rocking hockey town again.

But yeah, the Seth Jones-Sakic connection is too good to pass up. I know its a feel good story and all, but he also fits their needs perfectly. As you mention, their D makes the Comedy Central days in Pittsburgh look envious. I just don't see them trading down or making any pick other than Seth Jones. This is their "Sidney Corsby" revitalize the franchise magical moment. Roy is not going to convince Sakic otherwise. Roy took the job to be part of this moment.

[helmespc]

The 1990s Bengals of the NHL... terrible front office, no clear direction, not willing to pay free agents, only hiring from within.... just a joke of an organization since Sakic retired.

[penny lane]

adater ‏@adater 18m

The scene a half hour before Roy press conference http://www.tout.com/m/q8yx7w?ref=twhej6oc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

Happy to see Patrick Roy back in the NHL. We'll see if the anger management classes were a success.

edit
Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 1m
Patrick Roy media conference happening now on TSN.ca. http://bit.ly/10h2CX7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Crankshaft]

Is Seth Jones really the "Sidney Crosby" type player for their franchise?

[mikey287]

Is Seth Jones really the "Sidney Crosby" type player for their franchise?

No. But given the previous ties to the organization and the current state of their defense, it would be a breath of fresh air to say the least...

[KG]

I don't like giving a rookie NHL coach complete player control.

I've never been a Roy fan. His ego is out of control...

Watched some of the press conference. He still sounds like he just learned English 6 months ago...

Color me not a fan...

[Idoit40fans]

Is Seth Jones really the "Sidney Crosby" type player for their franchise?

Franchise player you mean? I'd say thats Matt Duchene.

[Troy Loney]

Now all they need is a redo on that Eric Johnson trade.

[Idoit40fans]

Why would they want that?

[Troy Loney]

Sorry, Erik Johnson.

[Idoit40fans]

Still.

Why would they want that?

[mikey287]

They do have Shattenkirk-types in their minor league system that are waiting to emerge. EJ has been really good for them and Stewart cannot be relied upon unless he changes his ways...

[Troy Loney]

Seemed to me they were on an upward trajectory till they made that move. Shattenkirk has been a valuable piece of a playoff team while the Avs have been terrible since that trade.

[pcm]

They did lose momentum with that trade, but it looks worse because Stewart and Shattenkirk went into a team that was poised for success. In the long term though, Johnson fits much better into the Avs future.

That upward trajectory they were on was not going anywhere, and still won't until they rebuild their defense.