It has now been 13 days since Patrick Roy unceremoniously announced his resignation as head coach of the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs have just 52 days (including today) before they drop the puck on the 2015-16 season Oct. 15 at home against the Dallas Stars. As that first number grows and the second shrinks, the anxiety level of Avalanche fans rises.
Colorado was already facing an anxious start to the season as each passing year becomes more of a “deep playoff run or bust” mission for the nucleus of top-10 picks. (Making the playoffs has been tough enough for this not-so-young-anymore core.)
Joe Sakic and the brass at Pepsi Center aren’t going to rush a decision, although one could be made soon according to the Denver Post. The Avs are courting at least four top assistants in the league and a pair of head men from the AHL. According to the Post:
As many as six candidates had formal interviews, and NHL assistant coaches Kevin Dineen of the Chicago Blackhawks and Bob Boughner of the San Jose Sharks are likely to have been among them. Because some of the coaches might have agreements with other teams, the Avs declined to confirm those who interviewed.
The other candidates are likely to be American Hockey League head coaches Jared Bednar and Travis Green, Washington Capitals assistant coach Lane Lambert and New York Rangers associate head coach Scott Arniel.
The team has moved into “the final phase” of their process, a team executive said, but the clock is still ticking.
Last year’s rookie camp opened Sep. 14, with veterans reporting four days later. The Avs open the season almost a full week later this year than they did in 2015-16, meaning training camp will likely come later as well. That still means Colorado is less than a month out from the semi-official start to the season and still without a head coach. That’s not much time for Avs fans to take a deep breath.
