Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Avs shed Smyth's hefty contract in Kings trade

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July 4

Denver Post

"Since finishing last in the West with a high payroll, there has been a mandate from Avalanche ownership: Get younger, get cheaper and rebuild. Part of that mandate was filled Friday night when the Avs traded left wing Ryan Smyth to the Los Angeles Kings for two young defensemen - Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing - and a fifth-round draft pick in 2010. The trade will not become official until the players pass a physical. It may come as a shock to some Avs fans that the team would trade the former all-star, but it has been a poorly guarded secret for a while now that the Avs were trying to trade him. When he signed a five-year, $31.25 million free-agent deal in 2007 that included a no-trade ..."

Avalanche trade star Ryan Smyth

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July 4

Denver Post

"The Avalanche tonight traded veteran left wing Ryan Smyth to the Los Angeles Kings for defensemen Tom Preissing and Kyle Quincey and the Kings' 5th round selection in next year's draft. Smyth, 33, had been on the trade block for a while, as the Avs wanted to rid themselves of his five-year, $31.25 million contract. Smyth last season compiled 26 goals and 33 assists in 77 games. His 59 points were tied for the team lead with Milan Hejduk. Quincey in 72 games last season had four goals and 34 assists. Preissing, a former Hobey Baker finalist at Colorado College, played in 22 games last year, with three goals and four assists."

Sakic gets Olympic invitation

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July 3

Denver Post

"If Team Canada thought Joe Sakic was going to retire, would it have extended the Avalanche great an invitation to its Olympic orientation camp? That was a question many Avalanche fans were mulling Thursday after Hockey Canada executive director Steve Yzerman invited Sakic and 45 others - including the Avs' Ryan Smyth - to participate in the Aug. 24-27 orientation camp in Calgary, Alberta. Yzerman said at the NHL draft in Montreal that he intended to invite Sakic to the camp, regardless of whether Sakic had declared his intentions for next season. Sakic, who turns 40 on Tuesday, has told the team his decision, general manager Greg Sherman said. But the team has not made that public yet, and ..."

Accept reality, hope for more

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July 2

Denver Post

columnist Dave Krieger

"Frankly, I was expecting one of those Avalanche blockbuster deals. You know, like six years and $24 million for 39-year-old Dwayne Roloson or something. Hey, it might have gotten people off Darcy Tucker's back for a while. Instead, we get two years and a modest $3.6 million for goalie Craig Anderson, which is the proverbial good news and bad. Good because it means that in the transfer of front office power from one accountant to another, somebody actually took a look at all those bad contracts and decided not to add to the pile. Bad because it means the Avalanche isn't good enough for a proven NHL starting goal- tender. At 28, Anderson may be ready to emerge as that guy, which would ..."

Avs' new goalie up for No. 1 task

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July 2

Denver Post

"It used to be everybody wanted to come to Denver to play for the Avalanche. Not so, anymore, as a last-place finish and a much tighter payroll have taken some of the luster off Colorado as an NHL destination. To Craig Anderson, however, the Avalanche might as well still be considered Shangri-La. Spurning offers from several other teams, Anderson signed a two-year, $3.6 million free-agent contract with the Avs on Wednesday and is expected to be the team's No. 1 goalie this coming season. "It's a dream come true," Anderson said. "It was the place I wanted to be, a city I've always loved. I think it's a great opportunity for me, and I want to be part of the solution bringing the team back." ..."

Laperriere signs 3-year deal with Flyers

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July 2

Denver Post

"Former Avalanche winger Ian Laperriere, one of the most popular players in team history, on Wednesday signed a three-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. Laperriere, an unrestricted free agent, agreed to a three-year contract worth $3.5 million. NHL sources said the Avs offered Laperriere, 35, a one-year contract at less than the $1.15 million he made last season, an offer that was quickly rejected last week. The NHL's free-agent signing period started Wednesday. "I'm very happy," Laperriere said. In four seasons in Colorado, Laperriere scored 40 goals and recorded 72 assists. He had seven goals, 12 assists and 163 penalty minutes last season, when he was an alternate captain on the ..."

Avalanche sign goalie Anderson

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July 1

Denver Post

"Craig Anderson, a goalie who had a good season with the Florida Panthers last season, has signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche, the team said today. Anderson is expected to be the Avs' No. 1 goalie next season, with Peter Budaj as his backup. Anderson, 28, was 15-7-5 with Panthers, with a .924 saves percentage, 2.71 goals-against average and three shutouts. Anderson's saves percentage was the third-best in the NHL last season. He signed a two-year, $3.6 million contract. He will make $1.5 million this season, and $2.125 million in the second year. Anderson made $575,000 with the Panthers last season. "In Craig we feel we have addressed a very important need within our ..."

Avs shopping for free agents

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July 1

Denver Post

"The Avalanche is a team in need of a lot of help, and a lot of very good players who could provide some will be available starting today on the free-agent market. But the Avs are like the mortgage holder who bought at the height of the market and has seen the value of the house diminish while living costs continue to escalate. The Avs do not have a lot of money to throw around today when the NHL market opens, and even if they did, multiple league sources say the team is not in a buying mood. In fact, the Avs are looking for ways to cut their payroll, league sources said. The team currently has 18 NHL veterans who either are signed for next season or were tendered qualifying offers to ..."

Monster won't decide until after July 1

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June 30

Sportsnet.ca

"Jonas Gustavsson, the free-agent goalie from Sweden is going to wait until after July 1 to announce his decision. Gustavsson's agent Joe Resnick told Hockeycentral "It's highly unlikely we'll commit before 12 noon Wednesday. With so many teams potentially making major changes to their rosters, maybe it's best to wait and watch it unfold first." The 24-year-old was Sweden's national goalie at the world hockey championship and is considered the best goalie not playing in the NHL."

NHL salary cap traps teams in free agency market

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June 30

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Over the last three summers, the salary cap in the NHL has jumped $17.7 million. The individual increases from year to year were $5 million, $6.3 million and $6.4 million. Teams looking to add help through free agency had a little extra allowance, and many clubs bettered themselves over cash-strapped franchises by spending that allowance. In 2007, Daniel Briere signed an eight-year, $52 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. In 2008, the Chicago Blackhawks inked Brian Campbell to an eight-year, $56.8 million deal. But with the NHL's announcement last week that the salary cap in 2009-10 will increase only $100,000, to $56.8 million, some upper-echelon clubs are expecting a ..."

Budaj signs deal, likely No. 2 in net

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June 30

Denver Post

"Peter Budaj may not be the starting goaltender for the Avalanche when the 2009-10 season begins. But he will be on the roster. Budaj signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Avs on Monday, avoiding arbitration. The Slovakian native made $800,000 last season, and many speculated he would be cut loose by a team that finished last in the Western Conference. But Budaj is still young, at 26, and always has been praised by teammates for his good attitude and work ethic. Those are the qualities best associated with backup goaltenders, and it is likely Budaj will enter the Avs' training camp as their No. 2 goalie. Colorado is still waiting to hear the decision from 24-year-old Swedish ..."

Avalanche re-sign goaltender Budaj

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June 30

Denver Post

"Peter Budaj, who like the rest of the Avalanche suffered through an up-and-down season in 2008-09, has been re-signed by the team. A source with the Avs said Budaj has agreed to a one-year, $1.25 million contract. He made $800,000 with the Avs last season. Budaj went 20-29-5 with Colorado, with a 2.86 goals-against average. The Avs will not re-sign Andrew Raycroft, the team said, which means Budaj will battle with another goalie in training camp for the starting job. Colorado is still waiting to hear from Swedish netminder Jonas Gustavsson, whether it is the team he selects to play with this coming season. Gustavsson, 24, denied a Swedish newspaper report that he had crossed the Avs off ..."

Kieran Millan, BU high priority

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June 29

Boston Herald

"Pardon the Colorado Avalanche if they change their moniker to Boston University West. Or, perhaps the Colorado Terriers. Since the franchise entered the league as the Quebec Nordiques in 1979, no NHL club has picked more Boston University skaters than Colorado/Quebec with 12. Former BU star Joe Sacco of Medford, who enjoyed a 13-year NHL career with five different teams, recently was named coach of the Avalanche. His former Terriers teammate David Quinn, who served as BU's associate head coach for the past five seasons, recently resigned to become coach of Colorado's AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. Goalie Kieran Millan became the latest Terrier to be drafted by the franchise when he ..."

Avalanche grades O'Reilly as A-OK

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June 28

Denver Post

"At some point, every team in every sport says it at every draft: "We had him a lot higher on our list. We were just hoping he'd still be available at our pick." Avalanche chief scout Rick Pracey said pretty much those exact words Saturday about second-round pick Ryan O'Reilly. "But this time it's legit," Pracey said with a big smile, after the Avs selected O'Reilly 33rd overall, one of six picks Colorado made in rounds 2-7 of the NHL draft at the Bell Centre. "When he went through the first round, there were some anxious moments at 31 and 32." The Avs selected a center, two goaltenders and three defensemen Saturday. Stefan Elliott, a defenseman with Saskatoon of the Western Hockey League, ..."

Sakic makes decision, will wait on announcement

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June 27

Denver Post

"Joe Sakic has made up his mind what he'll do next season. But whether the Avalanche captain has decided to retire or play a 21st NHL season remains a mystery. Avs general manager Greg Sherman said Friday night he met with Sakic recently in Denver and received word from him what his plans are. But Sherman would not say what they are, and said it could be a week or more before a public announcement is made. The team said Sakic, who turns 40 on July 7, is going on a family vacation, and nothing will be announced until at least after he returns. "He made his intentions clear, and in the coming weeks it will be addressed," Sherman said. In a conversation with The Denver Post late last week, ..."

Pick has skill, personality

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June 27

Denver Post

columnist Dave Krieger

"Now that you're a top NHL draft pick, Matt Duchene, what's your first big purchase? A car? A house? A small country? "I'm going to buy an electric guitar here in the next couple weeks, treat myself to something I've always wanted and take some lessons wherever I'm living next year and try to become good," Duchene said by telephone shortly after the Avalanche made him the draft's third overall pick Friday night in Montreal. The first riffs on his new ax? Green Day, probably, his favorite rock band, although he likes a little country music too. Colorado is going to love this kid. Whether he is the best, the second-best or the third-best player in the 2009 draft will take some time to sort ..."

Avs' future? Young center Matt Duchene

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June 27

Denver Post

"A framed, autographed jersey of his boyhood idol, Joe Sakic, hangs in his basement. He wiled away time as a little kid by sketching logos of his favorite team, the Avalanche. And now, Matt Duchene is a member of the Avalanche. With the third selection of the NHL draft Friday night at the Bell Centre, the Avs took the 18-year-old center from the Brampton Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League. "This is unbelievable. This is a dream," said Duchene, wearing an '09 Avalanche sweater and team baseball cap. "I keep looking down at the logo going, 'Are you kidding me?" I used to draw their logo every day in school. I'm just so happy." Despite a raft of rumors, including some that had Duchene ..."

Avs grab Duchene with No. 3 pick

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June 26

Denver Post

"In what turned out to be a by-the-book start to the NHL Draft, the Avs selected center Matt Duchene with their first pick, No. 3 overall. It was the team's first top-five pick since 1992. A center with the Brampton Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League, Duchene, 18, is considered a future star by scouts and was rated by nearly everyone as a top-three pick. The New York Islanders selected John Tavares with the first pick, and the Tampa Bay Lightning selected Victor Hedman. Duchene, 5-11 and 200 pounds, was No. 1 on some scouts" lists. He is a left-handed shot and considered by many as the best two-way player in the draft. He is a native of Halilburton, Ontario, and was a big fan of ..."

Front Range players might be high picks in NHL draft

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June 26

Denver Post

"Incoming University of Denver freshman Drew Shore, a Denver native, is one of a handful of Front Range players expected to be selected in the two-day NHL draft, which begins tonight. Shore and Colorado College recruit John Moore will be in attendance at the Bell Center in Montreal and could hear their names called in the first round. Moore is ranked first among defensemen and No. 8 overall. Shore is ranked No. 28 by Central Scouting among draft-eligible North American forwards and defensemen. He is 12th among centers. DU and CC have never had first-round picks in the same season. In TSN's mock draft, Moore is projected to go 14th overall to the Florida Panthers, and Shore five picks later ..."

Avs could choose to pass on top 3 players in draft

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June 26

Denver Post

"Inside a conference room at the Marriott Chateau Champlain on Thursday, John Tavares, Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene posed together for photographers. Though the order they are predicted to be picked varies from one prognosticator to another, just about everyone believes they will be the first three players taken when the first round of the NHL entry draft begins at 5 p.m. today at the Bell Centre. That would guarantee the Avalanche the opportunity to pick one of the three with the third selection. But will the Avs be in cost-cutting mode and deal away one of their high-priced veterans, or will they pass on one of the big three prospects? The words of Avs chief scout Rick Pracey certainly ..."

Yzerman eyes Sakic for 2010 Olympics

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June 26

Denver Post

"If Joe Sakic wants to play for the Canadian Olympic team next year, Team Canada general manager Steve Yzerman would be very interested in having him. "If he intends to play, I'd like to bring him to camp," Yzerman said Thursday after Canada introduced its coaching staff, led by Detroit's Mike Babcock, at NHL draft festivities. Sakic, the Avalanche captain, still is mulling whether to return for a 21st NHL season. He said he will decide soon, possibly in the coming week. A three-time Canadian Olympian, Sakic led his country to the gold medal in 2002 at Salt Lake City, earning most valuable player honors. "I probably will give him a call, regardless of what he's doing," Yzerman said. "Even ..."

Avs to see if Tavares goes at No. 1

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June 25

Denver Post

"If the chief scout of Hockey Canada were the person in charge of making the first pick in Friday's NHL draft, it sounds like he would run, not walk, to the podium toJohn Tavares. "You can watch a game with John Tavares in it and see more scoring chances created than you might see in a whole week of watching games with other players," said Al Murray, Hockey Canada's chief amateur scout. There is plenty of intrigue going into Friday's first round at the Bell Centre in Montreal, however. Usually it is not a surprise who is taken first overall, but this year there are three players - Tavares, Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene - who could be taken first by the New York Islanders. For a long time, ..."

Heatley gives Sens wishlist

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June 24

Ottawa Sun

"Dany Heatley has told the Senators where he wants to go. But if the Senators can't trade him before a $4-million (all terms US) bonus kicks in on July 1, they may tell him where to go. Senators GM Bryan Murray expects talks will heat up this week at the NHL draft in Montreal as several league sources confirmed Heatley's agents have given the club a wishlist of up to 10 teams. But there could be some flexibility -- he may agree to go somewhere not listed. Sources told Sun Media the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins were among the teams submitted to Murray by Heatley's agents J.P. Barry and Stacey ..."

Big guy Hedman is one big deal

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June 24

Denver Post

"Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman always has been head and shoulders above players his age, in stature and talent. In November 2006, Hedman was featured in an article in the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet under the headline "The BIG talent." At the time Hedman was 15, stood 6-feet-5 and weighed 210 pounds. "I've always been big," Hedman said. "But it hasn't always been to my advantage. I had to train a lot when I was younger to get control of my body and learn to skate well. But when I was 13 or 14, things just fell into place." Now 18, Hedman is 6-6, 225 pounds and regarded as one of three plum prospects in Friday's NHL draft. For years, he has been regarded as one of the great talents ..."

Duchene expected for Avs' No.3 pick

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June 23

Denver Post

"Matt Duchene, the young man who might become the face of the Avalanche, is someone who: • Still is mad about a 2 percentin his report card score in the seventh grade. • Didn't like the Red Hawks logo of his Haliburton (Ontario) school, so he designed a new one that is still used today. • Was the Ontario Hockey League's scholastic player of the year while attending a high school of 2,500 students. Duchene, 18, clearly has some smarts, but he also is such a good hockey player that his junior coach says he should be the top pick in Friday's NHL draft at Montreal. "Matt is going to lift the Stanley Cup some day," said Stan Butler, coach of Duchene's Brampton Battalion. "He's just one of those ..."

Avs need a dandy last day of draft

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June 23

Denver Post

columnist Adrian Dater

"John Tavares, Victor Hedman or Matt Duchene - it doesn't matter which player the Avs get in the first round of the NHL draft in Montreal. Each one is going to be a star, the experts say. So Friday is the fun day for the Avs. They get to take a stud player at No. 3 and call it a night. The really crucial day for this franchise could be Saturday. Rounds 2-7 will conclude at the Bell Centre, and the Avs have six more picks - including the 33rd and 49th selections. So while it will be hard for the Avs to mess it up with the third pick, how well they do with those other two selections among the top 50 could be the difference between a short road back to the NHL's elite or a very long one. That ..."

Colorado Avalanche tab BU's David Quinn

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June 23

Boston Herald

"The Colorado Avalanche named Boston University associate head coach David Quinn as head coach of the Lake Erie Monsters (AHL). Quinn, who helped guide the Terriers to an NCAA championship this past season, was a defenseman at BU and a first-round selection by the NHL's Minnesota North Stars in 1984. Chicago Bulls (NBA) and White Sox (MLB) owner Jerry Reinsdorf has promised to make an offer by Friday to buy the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes and keep the team in Arizona. An attorney said Reinsdorf is working on a new lease agreement with the city of Glendale. . . . Red Wings GM Ken Holland told The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press that defenseman Chris Chelios, 47, wouldn't be offered ..."

Three-year deal given to McLeod

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June 21

Denver Post

"Cody McLeod was one of the few nice surprises for the Avalanche last season, and the rugged left winger was rewarded with a new three-year contract Saturday. McLeod, the Avs' third-leading goal scorer with 15, will earn $3.1 million through the 2011-12 season. He received $522,500 last season, when he was one of five NHL players to have at least 15 goals and 150 penalty minutes, and led the Avs in hits (194, 22nd in the league). His signing brings the number of veterans under contract and expected to make the team next season to 15, at a salary cap-averaged payroll of nearly $45 million. The Avs can carry no more than 23 players on their opening-night roster."

After the Big 3, it's open season

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June 21

Toronto Sun

"No curve balls are expected from the pitchers throwing out the first three names at the NHL draft. There's a slim chance the pitchers could change -- the Islanders, Lightning and Avalanche may yet be overwhelmed by a trade offer for their first pick on Friday night -- but a much better bet is they will choose John Tavares, Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene, respectively. "The first three picks have separated themselves," says Michael Oke, the chief scout for International Scouting Services. "Then, the next five to seven, everybody has a different opinion (as to where they'll go), but everybody thinks they'll be there." In putting together a mock draft for Sun Media, Oke and ISS director of ..."

Former Avs join Sacco staff

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June 20

Denver Post

"Two important Avalanche jobs were filled by familiar faces Friday when the team hired former players Steve Konowalchuk and Adam Deadmarsh as coaches. Konowalchuk was named an Avs assistant coach, while Deadmarsh will be the new video/development coach. Though they never played together with the Avs, Kono-walchuk and Deadmarsh played a year of junior hockey together (1991-92) with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. "It's great to see both of them back. Both of them wore the uniform with pride," Avs captain Joe Sakic said. "You know they're going to want to get us back to where we should be." This will be Konowalchuk's second stint working in Avalanche management, but it will be the ..."

Maple Leafs try to lure Monster between pipes

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June 20

Toronto Star

"Free agent goalie Jonas Gustavsson jetted into town yesterday, surrounded, apparently, by a cone of silence. It was all quiet from Gustavsson's agent, Joe Resnick, while the only comment Leafs GM Brian Burke was: "Radio silence." Gustavsson – nicknamed The Monster because of his 6-foot-3 frame – blossomed last season in leading Farjestad to the Swedish Elite League championship to become this off-season's most sought-after undrafted player. The 24-year-old was also Sweden's goalie at the world championship. Toronto was the last stop on his tour of the four NHL teams he's interested in, which included Dallas, San Jose and Colorado."

Florida Panthers acquire Steven Reinprecht in trade with Colorado Avalanche

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June 19

Palm Beach Post

"The Panthers accomplished one of their prime off-season goals Friday: acquiring a center who will allow Nathan Horton to move back to right wing. Florida sent little-used prospect Stefan Meyer, a forward, to Phoenix in exchange for Steven Reinprecht, a 10-year veteran. The Panthers then announced they had signed Reinprecht to a three-year deal reportedly worth $6.15 million. Reinprecht, 33, won a Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2001. He has played for Los Angeles (2000-01), the Avalanche (2001-03), Calgary (2003-04, 2005-06) and Phoenix (2006-09). "Steve has played almost 600 games (actually 552) in the NHL and he's a smart player and a good playmaker," assistant general manager Randy Sexton ..."

Avalanche hires Konowalchuk, Deadmarsh as coaches

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June 19

Denver Post

"The Avalanche filled two management vacancies this morning with two familiar faces. Former Avs forward Steve Konowalchuk was named an assistant coach and Adam Deadmarsh was named the team's video/development coach. "We're very excited to add Steve and Adam to our staff," Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman said in a team statement. "Both have a level of familiarity with the Avalanche organization, and we're confident they will provide our club with the same passion and commitment they showed as players." Konowalchuk and Deadmarsh were players who retired early from the NHL because of medical problems. Konowalchuk retired as a player with Colorado in 2006 because of a heart ailment, and ..."

Deadmarsh up for management post

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June 18

Denver Post

"Adam Deadmarsh could soon be coming back to the Avalanche. His playing days are over, but Deadmarsh has interviewed for a management position with the Avs organization, the team confirmed Wednesday. Avs vice president Jean Martineau said that while Deadmarsh is not up for the team's vacant second assistant coaching position, he has interviewed for another management job and is being strongly considered. Deadmarsh, 34, expressed last month to The Denver Post a desire to get back into hockey in some capacity. He retired from the NHL in 2005 after suffering concussions and has lived a quiet family life since in Idaho with his wife and two daughters. "I'd really like to get back into the game ..."

Top goalie makes Avs his first stop

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June 16

Denver Post

"Jonas Gustavsson received the burgundy-carpet treatment from the Avalanche. Gustavsson, the 24-year- old Swede considered one of the best goalies in the world not currently playing in the NHL, wrapped up an approximately 24-hour trip to Denver on Monday. The Avalanche is one of four NHL teams he is considering joining. Denver was the first stop on his four-city North American tour that will proceed to San Jose, Dallas and Toronto. Avalanche vice president Jean Martineau said Gustavsson arrived Sunday and left Monday afternoon. He was not made available to the media, but Martineau said Gustavsson met with several Avalanche players and management staff, including new coach Joe Sacco, and was ..."

Offer to Lappy a slap shot in the face

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June 15

Denver Post

columnist Adrian Dater

"Like a lot of things this summer involving the Avalanche, it doesn't make much sense. Ian Laperriere, heart-and-soul forward, fan favorite and locker-room leader, will no longer be on the team after July 1. That in itself is not the part that is mystifying. It's not unreasonable a team would want to jettison a 35-year-old player, with 40 goals in the 307 games he played with the Avs. The Avs want to get younger, and maybe a little cheaper. We get that. But why in the world are the Avs letting Lappy go for nothing - contract talks have essentially ended between him and the team - when the Avs probably could have gotten a pretty nice draft pick from another NHL team at the trade deadline? ..."

Laperriere nixes offer, likely to leave Avs

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June 12

Denver Post

"Ian Laperriere's days with the Avalanche appear to be over. The popular Avs forward is expected to test the NHL's free agent market July 1, unless the team makes a much better offer than it made to him Thursday. With the Avs having salary cap problems for next season as it is, that does not appear to be likely. NHL sources said the Avs offered Laperriere, 35, a one-year contract at less than the $1.15 million he made last season, an offer that was quickly rejected. "Ian is a reliable player who has brought dependability, leadership and results on the ice for Colorado. I would hope they would see that and want him back, but if not, July 1st is right around the corner and other teams will be ..."

Key questions go unanswered

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June 7

Denver Post

columnist Dave Krieger

"When the Chinese government suffers an embarrassing public failure of some kind, it tends to react by purging a couple of high-ranking officials. Everybody beneath them moves up a rung and things go on as before. This procedure came to mind last week as the Avalanche announced its "new management structure," which looked a lot like the old management structure, minus a couple of high-ranking officials. In the Avs' case, general manager Francois Giguere and coach Tony Granato were purged. To take their places, the club named Greg Sherman, Giguere's former assistant, and Joe Sacco, coach of its top minor-league affiliate. These moves raised some fairly obvious questions: • Other than the ..."

Sherman's march reaches key point

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June 7

Denver Post

columnist Terry Frei

"It all sounds fine in theory. Here's the theory: The Avalanche front office, with new general manager Greg Sherman leading and president Pierre Lacroix retreating into semi-retirement, will make decisions through a collaborative process. The hockey staff, including Sherman, Craig Billington, Brad Smith, Eric Lacroix and others, will stand behind that decision as decisively as if the vote in every case was unanimous from the start, even if it took more votes to get there than the 1912 Democratic convention did to nominate Woodrow Wilson. It could work if Sherman, who has climbed through the Pepsi Center ranks because of his accounting and business backgrounds, a) gets good advice and ..."

Avalanche taps AHL's Joe Sacco as head coach; Lefebvre named assistant

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June 5

InDenverTimes.com

"The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club on Thursday appointed Joe Sacco the club's new head coach. Former Avalanche player Sylvain Lefebvre was named assistant coach, according to avalanche.nhl.com. "The American Hockey League has proven to be a valuable training ground for NHL head coaches and we're confident that Joe's experience at that level will be vital to his success with our organization at the NHL level," said Avalanche General Manager Greg Sherman. "Our franchise has gone that route very successfully in the past." "I'm very honored and grateful to the Avalanche organization for giving me this opportunity," said Sacco, who will become the franchise's 13th head coach. "This organization ..."

Front office won't be about "power" play

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June 5

Denver Post

"Who's the boss? Or, perhaps more important, who makes the final decision? When the Avalanche introduced new coach Joe Sacco on Thursday and general manager Greg Sherman met with the media for the first time since his promotion was announced Wednesday, the division of front-office power was one of the major topics of discussion. Sherman and Craig Billington, the vice president of hockey operations who was named assistant general manager, emphasized it will be a collaborative process. "Look," Sherman said, "Biller and I have been together for the last six years. It's not about the power. It's about the end goal, to put the best product on the ice. As far as titles, that's not our concern. ..."

Former players praise Avs' choice for coach

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June 5

Denver Post

"Aaron MacKenzie had some good coaching when he played at the University of Denver from 1999-2003, and the former Pioneers defenseman said he has had the same under new Avalanche coach Joe Sacco during his time with the Lake Erie Monsters. "He was a hard-working guy when he played, and that's what he expects from all his players," said MacKenzie, who played with the Avalanche and Monsters in 2008-09. "We had like 56 guys come through (Lake Erie) last year, but we were in the playoff race all season. He is real professional. We had such a young team at Lake Erie, but he taught the young guys how to be true professionals and come to the rink every day to work. I think that goes a long ways." ..."

A different breed of general manager

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June 5

Denver Post

"On Tuesday, Greg Sherman represented the Avalanche at the NHL general managers' meetings, held in conjunction with the Stanley Cup Finals in Pittsburgh. He looked around at the game's veteran GMs, many of them former NHL players and most of them with considerable NHL experience in positions of power. By then, Sherman, 39, knew his promotion to GM would be announced the next day in Denver, and this was his first taste of looking at these men as his peers. Their ranks included such high-profile GMs as Bob Gainey of Montreal, Brian Burke of Toronto, Lou Lamoriello of New Jersey, Glen Sather of the New York Rangers, Doug Wilson of San Jose, Darryl Sutter of Calgary, Ken Holland of Detroit and ..."

Note to new Avs coach: Keep resume updated

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June 5

Denver Post

columnist Mark Kiszla

"Good temporary help is hard to find. So when Joe Sacco became the third coach of the Avalanche within 13 months, there was only one question really worth asking him: Are you here to keep a seat warm on the team bench for Patrick Roy? "No, I don't think so," Sacco replied Thursday. Then, for emphasis, he repeated, "No, I feel confident in my ability." Well, sincere good luck with the new gig. But how long before Roy finally decides the time is right to be an NHL coach and replaces Sacco? Six months? One year? Maybe two seasons? Standing tall, Sacco absorbed the hit, deflecting my serious doubts he is long for this job in Colorado with the same toughness shown during his 13-year career as an ..."

Spotlight turns to new Avs coach Sacco

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June 5

Denver Post

"The newest coach of the Avalanche is a man who doesn't pronounce his R's all that well, being born and bred in the blue-collar Massachusetts town of Medford. Joe Sacco's favorite letter of the alphabet is W - as in wins - but they were not pronounced with the Avs much last season, either. On Thursday, the Avalanche entrusted the head coaching job to the 40-year-old Sacco, hoping to turn L's into W's after the most dismal season in team history. Signing a three-year contract, Sacco was promoted from his job as coach of the Avs' American Hockey League affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, where he spent the past two seasons in Cleveland. Despite two losing years there, Sacco was the first ..."

New Avs coach praised for teaching work ethic

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June 5

Denver Post

"Aaron MacKenzie had some good coaching when he played at the University of Denver from 1999-2003, and the former Pioneers defenseman said he's had the same under new Avalanche coach Joe Sacco during his time with the Lake Erie Monsters. "He was a hard-working guy when he played, and that's what he expects from all his players," said MacKenzie, who played with the Avalanche and Monsters in 2008-09. "We had like 56 guys come through (Lake Erie) last year, but we were in the playoff race all season. He is real professional. We had such a young team at Lake Erie, but he taught the young guys how to be true professionals and come to the rink everyday to work. I think that goes a long ways." ..."

New GM Sherman joins club waiting on Sakic's decision

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June 5

Denver Post

"New Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman said Thursday that many big player-personnel decisions remain before next season, but one that is out of his hands is whether captain Joe Sakic will play a 21st NHL season. Like his predecessor, Francois Giguere, at this time last year, Sherman is just waiting to hear from Sakic about his plans. "Joe can make the decision on his terms," Sherman said. "Certainly, Joe has earned the respect and the time to make his decision." Sakic, who turns 40 on July 7, missed all but 15 games last season because of back and finger injuries. He might have to take a sizable pay cut from the $6 million he made last season if he returns, because of Avalanche salary ..."

Avs hire Sacco as head coach

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June 4

Denver Post

"The Avalanche today hired Joe Sacco to be its new coach and will introduce him at a news conference scheduled for 2 p.m. today at the Pepsi Center. Sacco has coached the past two seasons with the Avalanche's AHL franchise, the Lake Erie Monsters, who won 34 games in this past 80-game season with 76 points, failing to make the playoffs. The Monsters won 26 games the previous season for 65 points and also failed to make the playoffs. After this past season, Sacco was named an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2009 IIHF Men's World Championship in Switzerland. "I'm very honored and grateful to the Avalanche organization for giving me this opportunity," Sacco said in a statement released by ..."

Ex-Avs coach: "Nature of the business"

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June 4

Denver Post

"Tony Granato paused and searched for the words to answer the question: Did it bother you that the Avalanche offered your job to Patrick Roy last month? "How those discussions were handled and how they went down was . . ." Granato paused for several seconds before saying, "That's part of it." The fact Roy was offered the head coaching job - while Granato still had the position - was the main act to a nearly two-month drama that culminated with Granato being fired Wednesday. He will be paid for the remaining two years on his contract. A successor was not named, but two candidates from the American Hockey League are confirmed to be on the Avs' short list: Joe Sacco, the coach of the Avs' ..."

Lacroix on the job, but trying to rest

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June 4

Denver Post

"Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix is out of a hospital, but he faces a lengthy rehabilitation after complications from knee-replacement surgery. Lacroix, 60, developed blood clots in his leg after surgery in April to replace a knee, a potentially lethal complication that only rapid medical attention prevented from becoming serious. Blood clots become potentially fatal when they travel to the lungs, but the Avs said Lacroix is resting comfortably after a hospital stay of several days. Many patients with blood-clot complications are prescribed a blood thinner. Lacroix's ill health of late has not prevented him from conducting business for the Avalanche, but has limited his participation in ..."

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