No. 1 – Patrick Roy

Patrick Roy left no doubt that he’s still as fiery as ever when he took over the bench of the Avs in 2013, but last year’s first-to-worst performance has fans questioning if that fire was just a flash in the pan.

Despite the last-place finish (in arguably the best division in hockey, Colorado finished with 90 points and barely missed the playoffs. That’s something for fans to be optimistic about, but it doesn’t take any of the pressure off Roy. Team president Josh Kroenke recently said he wants his team to compete for a playoff spot first and foremost, then set their sights on winning a division.

Roy can accomplish that with an improved defense and better scoring – both issues which he and general manager Joe Sakic believe they addressed with several splashy offseason moves. Another 90-plus point season should be attainable this year. Will it be enough to get them into the playoffs? Roy needs it to.

The Avs need to come out firing this weekend as they face division rivals Minnesota and Dallas to open the season.