[News] Patrick Roy New Avs Head Coach

[moon]

Originally Posted by kehatch

Indeed. It is just a coincidence that the Franchise has just brought back two of its biggest names. They are being brought on exclusively for their credentials and it has nothing to do with there playing experience or popularity with the franchise. Silly me.

But they are two big names that have spent time getting the experience needed to do their jobs. It isn't like they are handing a guy fresh off the ice the keys to the franchise Garth Snow style. Both Sakic and Roy have experience doing the types of things they will be asked to in their new roles.

As before should the Avs avoid qualified people to do jobs for them just because they are popular with the fanbase?

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by moon

I remember Boucher being a hot candidate and that TB got good reviews for hiring a young, up and coming guy. Don't remember much (any?) questioning or criticizing of that choice.

For Rolston I haven't really heard anything good or bad and he seems to just be a guy that most people shrug their shoulders and say sure but haven't seen much of a questioning of his credentials.

I think Roy being an Ex-Avalanche makes him for sure a more desirable candidate but that doesn't make him any less qualified and doesn't make him any less qualified. I would say this is a hockey move first and a PR bonus that they have a guy who is qualified also a former popular player. I don't think the Avs should be punished for hiring a qualified candidate just because it also helps with the PR.

If the franchise was bringing on just one of Sakic/Roy I could give them the benefit of the doubt. Or if they were a solid franchise with a history of good decisions I could give them the benefit of the doubt.

But the Avalanche don't have that history. And bringing on two ex franchise players over a short period of time (assuming the Roy rumor ends up true), both with questionable credentials, tells me they are more interested in appealing to the fan base then making hockey appropriate decisions.

I think this is more about repairing the image of the Avalanche and giving them a franchise face along with some character. Which is fine I guess. But that isn't a hockey ops motive.

But again, I don't really care much. There aren't many teams I care less about then the Avalanche. So I am kinda done posting here!

[moon]

Originally Posted by kehatch

If the franchise was bringing on just one of Sakic/Roy I could give them the benefit of the doubt. Or if they were a solid franchise with a history of good decisions I could give them the benefit of the doubt.

But the Avalanche don't have that history. And bringing on two ex franchise players over a short period of time (assuming the Roy rumor ends up true), both with questionable credentials, tells me they are more interested in appealing to the fan base then making hockey appropriate decisions.

I think this is more about repairing the image of the Avalanche and giving them a franchise face along with some character. Which is fine I guess. But that isn't a hockey ops motive.

But again, I don't really care much. There aren't many teams I care less about then the Avalanche. So I am kinda done posting here!

What questionable credentials do they have though?

Roy has had 7 successful seasons as HC of a Junior team in which only 1 time did the team fail to win a play-off series and he won a Memorial Cup. Is that vastly different from many other coaches at the NHL level? Sure there are different routes to take but that seems similar to Mike Babcock minus the one year he had at the AHL level. Did that year in Cincinatti make him a much more ready NHL coach than Roy would be? Is Dan Byslma's 3 years in the AHL more impressive than Roy's time in the CHL? Darryl Sutter coached in the amazing IHL for two years and then was an assistant for 2 years is that what Roy needs to be a qualified NHL coach?

Sakic is taking on a role similar to what Elway does where he picks the hockey guys and then seems to let them make the day to day decisions. He has spent the past 3-4 years since his retirement in the Avs front office does that not make him qualified to do that role? He isn't the GM, he is in charge of the big picture running of the team. Seems like he could do that.

I am not saying either or both are going to be successful but saying they have questionable credentials seems odd when they both have spent significant time since their retirement in roles that are similar to what they are doing now and they both have similar backgrounds to other people in these roles in the NHL.

[doctajones428]

Hopefully he doesn't tell Varlamov to go fight the other teams goalie

[Flashpoint]

Originally Posted by moon

Is Dan Byslma's 3 years in the AHL more impressive than Roy's time in the CHL? Darryl Sutter coached in the amazing IHL for two years and then was an assistant for 2 years is that what Roy needs to be a qualified NHL coach?

Yes.

One is pro hockey. The other is not.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

There's an overwhelming lack of recognition for the God of Goaltending in this thread.

Here's recognition, the guy ruined the Flames 1986 SC destiny! Then 3 years later, the Flames ruined it for him and the Habs!

[moon]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Yes.

One is pro hockey. The other is not.

Not sure why low level pro hockey is that more impressive or going to give you more skill in coaching.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by moon

Not sure why low level pro hockey is that more impressive or going to give you more skill in coaching.

One is not more impressive, but one gives a better indicator of whether one has the skill set in place to be a successful NHL coach. Nothing is a full indicator, but coaching in Junior, AHL and NHL are all different. One could be very solid at any of those leagues, and not be a good coach in another, including being a good NHL coach but not a good junior coach.

I'd say being a solid AHL or other Pro coach would give me more security that the person would translate to the NHL well than just a good junior record, but it's not a sure thing at all.

Roy has proven he knows how to coach well and develop kids at the junior age. This may or may not translate well to the NHL. Likely, he must think the game well to have as much success as he's had, and that should translate to any level. How will be he at getting the most out of his players though at the NHL level. The NHL coaching game is very different than it was 30 years ago. Players have just as much power, in fact more power in many ways as the coach does now. The coach can no longer make or break half of his roster if they don't towe the line like they used to be able to in the NHL. The coach has to find ways to motivate his top players in many fashions, not just cause the coach said.

Obvioulsy just an opinion, but something tells me this might be the biggest issue for Roy making the jump. Seems like a bit of a hard head, who is very used to his way or the highway, and used to being able to tell kids to "just do it cause he said", which would work very well in junior I'm sure.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by doctajones428

Hopefully he doesn't tell Varlamov to go fight the other teams goalie

Hopefully he does. Who doesn't love a good goalie fight?

[Beatle17]

Patrick Roy's coaching career is less decorated than Brent Sutter. At least Sutter has 2 WJC and Memorial Cup to brag about.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I'm willing to bet COL makes a massive jump in the standings next year (similar to CLB this season) and they are right in the playoff mix...and everyone will be heralding this as a brilliant move.

Curious as to why you think this, did they change all of their defencemen or is adding Seth Jones going to catapult them up in the standings like the Oilers have done with all their high end talent.

If you don't have defense and goaltending in the NHL you don't win.

[MissTeeks]

Done deal:

adater‏@adater2m

Patrick Roy is the next Avs coach, confirmed. Story soon on Denver Post

[sureLoss]

Colorado Avalanche ‏@Avalanche 1m COACH ROY: The #Avalanche has reached an agreement in principle w/ Patrick Roy to become the franchise's Head Coach/VP of Hockey Operations.

[MissTeeks]

Avs release:

Colorado Avalanche‏@Avalanche1m
COACH ROY: The #Avalanche has reached an agreement in principle w/ Patrick Roy to become the franchise's Head Coach/VP of Hockey Operations.

[Canada 02]

apparently Roy wanted the Avs owners to guarantee they would spend to the cap for him to accept

[sureLoss]

Interesting that he is VP of Hockey Operations... I believe in most organizations that title outranks GM. So Greg Sherman is now a puppet GM?

edit: yup sure sounds like Greg Sherman has little to no power now:

Roy, 47, becomes the sixth head coach in Avalanche history and the 14th in franchise history. In addition to his head coaching duties, Roy will also work with Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic in all player personnel decisions.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Interesting that he is VP of Hockey Operations... I believe in most organizations that title outranks GM. So Greg Sherman is now a puppet GM?

That is weird.

[Cheerio]

I don't know how to remove the [Rumor] from the title of the thread. Any help?

Avs are going to be a playoff team next year I think

[fundmark19]

just click edit then advanced

[Bertuzzied]

We should counter by making Mike Vernon coach.