Avalanche Trade Rumors

Liles leaves game after suffering a shoulder injury
Comment
November 7
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche defenseman John-Michael Liles didn't return to the game after suffering a shoulder injury late in the first period of what turned out to be Colorado's 4-3 shootout victory over the Blackhawks Friday night. "Credit the defensemen with playing with five 'D' for pretty much most of the game," Colorado coach Joe Sacco said. "They did a terrific job back there. That's not easy against an offense like that.""
Russian league team pushing to sign Forsberg
Comment
November 4
Denver Post
 
"The Russian team Ak Bars Kazan in recent days has made a significant push to sign former Avalanche star Peter Forsberg, attempting to steal him away from a potential NHL comeback. According to various news reports in Sweden and Slovakia, Ak Bars Kazan, a team from the country of Tatarstan, offered a large contract to Forsberg to play in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League. Forsberg also is being pursued by several NHL teams. Yahoo Sports reports the Philadelphia Flyers are the leading candidate to lure the former all-star back to NHL. The Washington Capitals, Montreal Cananiens and the Avalanche also have shown interest, according to Yahoo."
Avalanche goalie Anderson could draw Team USA duty in Olympics
Comment
November 3
Denver Post
 
"Craig Anderson stood on Vancouver soil Sunday night and should be here again later this month in another game between the Avalanche and Canucks. After that, Anderson and the Avs aren't scheduled to visit Vancouver until April. But would Anderson mind if he has to come here again in February? Not in the slightest. Anderson, whom Canucks coach Alain Vigneault called "the best player in the NHL right now" and who was named the NHL's first star for October on Monday, would love to make a side trip to the Winter Olympics as a goalie for Team USA. "To wear the jersey for your country, there's no greater honor," Anderson said. "If it just so happens that I get selected, that would be great." ..."
'09 top draft picks make the cut, staying in NHL
Comment
October 29
NHL.com
 
"Six players taken in the 2009 Entry Draft made their NHL team's opening-night roster. Making the League is one thing; staying there is another. But for the special six from this June's draft, they all passed their first major test. John Tavares (No. 1, Islanders), Victor Hedman (No. 2, Lightning), Matt Duchene (No. 3, Colorado), Evander Kane (No. 4, Thrashers), Dmitry Kulikov (No. 14, Panthers) and Ryan O'Reilly (No. 33, Avalanche) haven't all passed the 10-game threshold, but all have been told that they should look into permanent housing. Teams have nine games to evaluate their teenage prospects before having to make a decision on whether to keep them -- and activate their entry-level ..."
Tucker leaves hospital, not due back soon
Comment
October 25
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche veteran left wing Darcy Tucker probably won't be back anytime soon, but the fact he should be back at all this season might be considered a victory. Tucker suffered a concussion and needed stitches following a hit from behind by Carolina's Tuomo Ruutu on Friday night. The Avs are saying Tucker will be sidelined indefinitely and will not travel with the team on its upcoming four-game road trip. After an initial scare about his reflexes and mobility, Tucker regained full ambulatory response and checked out of a hospital Saturday morning. "It's good news. He's got a concussion, though, and we'll just hope he can come back when he's ready," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. Ruutu was ..."
Avs' Budaj out with flu; Anderson back in
Comment
October 24
Denver Post
 
"About Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson's night off ... Never mind. Colorado backup goalie Peter Budaj, scheduled to get his first start of the season tonight against Carolina, has the flu and won't play. Avalanche coach Joe Sacco said Anderson would start his 10th consecutive game tonight. Tyler Weiman was recalled from Lake Erie, was at the morning skate today and will suit up as Anderson's backup. "Peter came down with some flu-like symptoms (Thursday) afternoon," Sacco said this morning. "I made a call to Craig and informed him that he was going to be playing today." In six games with Lake Erie this season, Weiman has a 3-3 record, a 2.16 goals-against average and a .916 saves ..."
O'Reilly to stay with Avalanche
Comment
October 20
Denver Post
 
"The surprising Avalanche didn't practice Monday, but confirmed that it plans to keep 18-year-old centers Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly on the roster for Friday's 10th game of the season, against Carolina at home. That all but commits the Avalanche to keeping the two young players through the rest of the season rather than returning them to their major junior teams in the Ontario Hockey League - the Brampton Battalion (Duchene) and the Erie Otters (O'Reilly). The biggest surprise is O'Reilly, the No. 33 overall choice in the 2009 draft. O'Reilly not returning to Erie was mixed news for Sherwood Bassin, the team's general manager and managing partner who also is the OHL's chairman of the ..."
Avalanche's Duchene is up to stay
Comment
October 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"According to a report in the Denver Post, the Avalanche will keep Matt Duchene, the third pick of the 2009 entry draft, with the team for the rest of the season. The Web site of the Brampton Battalion, Duchene's junior club, also reported that coach/GM Stan Butler had been told by the Avalanche that Duchene would not be back. Duchene had his first goal Saturday in a victory in Detroit and has four points in eight games. He's centering the team's second line and is fifth among the team's forwards with 16 minutes, 58 seconds per game. Center Ryan O'Reilly, the team's second-round pick, has a goal, six points and a plus-5 rating in eight games. O'Reilly, who also is 18, is one of the team's ..."
Avalanche's injured goaltender Anderson might resume practice today
Comment
October 7
Denver Post
 
"Craig Anderson flitted between the Avalanche's player lounge and dressing room Tuesday, a plate of pasta and salad in his hand, ready to share a meal with several teammates. All that looked pleasant enough, but what didn't look good was Anderson's heavily wrapped upper left thigh - and his limp. Anderson, the goaltending star of the Avalanche's first two games, missed practice Tuesday with a groin pull. The team said the injury is minor and that there is a good chance he will resume practice today. Anderson apparently felt a strain after Saturday's game with Vancouver. If he doesn't practice today, Peter Budaj likely would be the starter in Colorado's next game, Thursday at Nashville. ..."
Avalanche goalie Anderson injures groin
Comment
October 7
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson, named one of the NHL's three stars last week with a 2-0 start, did not practice today because of a groin strain. The Avalanche says Anderson's strain is minor in nature, and that he could resume practice Wednesday. But Anderson's left leg was in a wrap and he appeared to be limping today. Anderson stopped 73-of-75 shots in Colorado's season-opening victories over San Jose and Vancouver."
Avs keep 18-year-olds Duchene, O'Reilly on roster
Comment
September 28
Denver Post
 
"The Avalanche apparently is taking this "rebuilding" and "youth movement" business very seriously. On Sunday, in solidifying its roster for the opening of the 2009-10 season, Colorado committed to keeping not one, but two highly touted 18-year-old centers - Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly. Before its Sunday practice, Colorado announced it had reassigned goalie Tyler Weiman, defenseman Derek Peltier and center Chris Durno to the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League. That left the Avs with 24 players, one over the limit, but defenseman Tom Preissing will be placed on the injured list. He is expected to be out at least until late October with a knee injury. It wasn't much of a ..."
Avs add a year to Hejduk's deal
Comment
September 25
Denver Post
 
"The Avalanche on Thursday lessened the chances of Milan Hejduk's pending unrestricted free agency becoming a major topic this season when it announced the signing of the Czech right wing to a one-year extension. Hejduk will make $3.9 million this season, but accepted a cut to $3 million in 2010-11, while retaining his no-trade clause. If Hejduk, 33, hadn't been locked up, there might have been considerable speculation about his availability as the season progressed. "I didn't want to deal with this thing during the season," Hejduk said Thursday after he didn't suit up for the Avalanche's 3-2 exhibition loss to Dallas. "I don't like that stuff. It's better that you can concentrate on ..."
Forsberg tries again for NHL comeback
Comment
September 23
Denver Post
 
"Former Avalanche star Peter Forsberg officially is trying to make another comeback to the NHL. Wednesday morning, he signed a one-week contract with his longtime Swedish Elite League team, MODO, and will play in today's season-opening game against Frolunda. The plan is this: Forsberg wants to play three games for MODO, then sign with an NHL team. Under NHL bylaws, he can play in Europe until right before the start of the NHL season, Oct. 1, but if he plays there beyond that date, he will be ineligible to play in the NHL in the regular season. "I've made six or seven comebacks, so why not make another one? No,seriously, I've been working hard this summer and I have had a major surgery. ..."
Job in hockey management in Sakic's future?
Comment
July 10
Denver Post
 
"Other than helping coach his sons' youth hockey teams, Joe Sakic said he has no grander coaching aspirations. But a future career in management could be in the retired Avalanche center's future. "I'd like to get to learn the business part of the game. Maybe I could follow Pierre (Lacroix) around for a while," Sakic said. Sakic acknowledged he might like to follow in the footsteps of two of his contemporaries now in management - Steve Yzerman in Detroit and Joe Nieuwendyk in Dallas. But for the next year, at least, Sakic wants to take a breather, with his only hockey activities being part- time coach for the teams of his two boys - Mitchell and Chase. Sakic said he plans to maintain a ..."
Sakic's retirement might just open the door for Duchene
Comment
July 10
Denver Post
 
"Shortly before the Joe Sakic retirement news conference began Thursday, a pack of young players filed into the Inverness auditorium and took seats in one of the back rows. Only one of them, winger Ryan Stoa, a second-round 2005 draft choice who signed with the Avalanche last spring, was born when Sakic played his first NHL game in 1988. Sakic's announcement came roughly four hours after the highly touted Matt Duchene, the No. 3 overall choice in the June 26 entry draft, took the ice for the first time at the Avalanche's practice facility. The Avs' determination to cut payroll, get younger and rebuild through the draft was in evidence when they traded Ryan Smyth to Los Angeles over the ..."
Sakic to retire after 20-year NHL career
Comment
July 8
Denver Post
 
"Twice in a Colorado Avalanche sweater, both times with the captain's "C" near his shoulder, Joe Sakic has accepted the Stanley Cup from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Now, the face of the franchise is walking away. He will announce his retirement at a news conference Thursday, sources close to Sakic confirmed. In 1996 in Miami, Sakic triumphantly raised the most famous trophy in professional sports. It was notable for many reasons, the most important being that it represented Denver's first major-league championship. In 2001 in Denver, Sakic quickly and deftly handed off the Cup to veteran defenseman Ray Bourque, who had waited years to experience the triumphant moment and get the trophy ..."
Avalanche's Sakic to retire from the NHL on Thursday
Comment
July 7
Denver Post
 
"The news that Avalanche fans had hoped never to hear is nevertheless official: Joe Sakic has decided to retire from the Avalanche. The Denver Post has confirmed that the Avalanche captain will retire Thursday at a 1 p.m. news conference at the Inverness Hotel. After a 20-season career that is sure to land him in the Hockey Hall of Fame, Sakic had mulled a 21st. Instead, he'll walk away as the Avalanche's all-time leading scorer with 625 goals and 1,641 points in 1,378 games — all with the same franchise. Injuries started to catch up with Sakic last season, limiting him to only 15 games. He had surgery for a herniated disc and wasn't able to make it back for the final weekend of games last ..."
Avs shed Smyth's hefty contract in Kings trade
Comment
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 ..."
Laperriere signs 3-year deal with Flyers
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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."
Budaj signs deal, likely No. 2 in net
Comment
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
Comment
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 ..."
Sakic makes decision, will wait on announcement
Comment
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, ..."
Avs could choose to pass on top 3 players in draft
Comment
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 ..."
Heatley gives Sens wishlist
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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 ..."
After the Big 3, it's open season
Comment
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 ..."
Maple Leafs try to lure Monster between pipes
Comment
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."
Deadmarsh up for management post
Comment
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
Comment
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 ..."
Laperriere nixes offer, likely to leave Avs
Comment
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 ..."
New GM Sherman joins club waiting on Sakic's decision
Comment
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 ..."
Bruins move to sign David Krejci
Comment
June 3
Boston Herald
 
"The Bruins gave their first glimpse into this summer's master plan yesterday, when it was announced that 23-year-old center David Krejci had signed a new long-term contract. Canada's TSN reported the deal is for three years with annual salaries of $3.5 million, $3.75 million and $4 million. The numbers represent a tidy raise for a player who earned $850,000 this past season. The B's retention of Krejci, who could have become a restricted free agent July 1, hardly was a surprise. Despite playing all season with a painful hip injury that will require surgery later this week, the Czech Republic native continued his ascent toward stardom. He played all 82 regular-season games and posted 21 ..."
Gustavsson pursuit on hold as goalie mourns mom
Comment
May 26
Toronto Sun
 
"The Maple Leafs still are after highly coveted free agent Jonas Gustavsson, but have temporarily ceased talks with the Swedish goaltender as Gustavsson's mother has died. Gustavsson had left the world championship early last month to be with his mother, who had been gravely ill with a lung ailment. According to Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, Gustavsson's mother died on the weekend. "All his plans are on hold right now (and) we've told his agent (Par Larsson) that he obviously has bigger things to worry about. So when he's ready to talk, we'll be here," Burke said yesterday. The Leafs were said to be frontrunners for Gustavsson's services, though three or four teams are also ..."
Roy coy on Avs rumour
Comment
May 26
Montreal Gazette
 
"The Colorado Avalanche has reportedly upped the ante for Patrick Roy, but the Hall of Fame goaltender continues to play his cards close to his chest protector. Ruefrontenac.com, the website run by our locked-out colleagues at Le Journal de Montréal, reported yesterday that Roy has been offered the dual role of general manager and head coach of the Avalanche. While Roy has said that he has no interest in pushing papers, the dual role would give him something most coaches crave - carte blanche over all hockey decisions. Roy greeted the rumours yesterday by telling Radio-Canada that he wasn't in a "period of reflection" because he didn't have a concrete offer. Roy's comments will fuel ..."
Avs in running for prized Swedish goalie Gustavsson
Comment
May 23
Denver Post
 
"Jonas Gustavsson, a Swedish goalie considered one of the best in the world not currently playing in the NHL, has narrowed the list of NHL teams he'll consider playing for next season. The Avalanche is one of them, and former Avs star Peter Forsberg said Denver is just the place for him. "I think Colorado would be a great fit. It's a great city to play hockey in, even if they had a rough season," Forsberg told Swedish reporters. "I think it would be less pressure for him there than Toronto or Philadelphia or New York." The Avs confirmed they have interest in Gustavsson, 24, and that the feeling is mutual. A 6-foot-3, 192-pound goalie, Gustavsson led Farjestad to the championship of the ..."
Avs' coach search called poor form
Comment
May 22
Denver Post
 
"In the corporate world, the Colorado Avalanche would be sent to the penalty box for the way it is handling its search for a new head coach. Former Avs goaltender Patrick Roy has reportedly been offered the position. Problem is, no one has told current head coach Tony Granato that he's no longer the man. Headhunters say confidential searches - where a top executive to be replaced is kept in the dark - are common. But typically, the search wouldn't become public and the job wouldn't be offered until after, or at least on the same day, the incumbent is fired or demoted. "Either they should let Granato know that he's being replaced and let him go or keep it a confidential search," said Andrew ..."
Roy denies Avalanche of rumours
Comment
May 19
Montreal Gazette
 
"Is Patrick Roy biding his time while waiting for the Canadiens to offer him their head coaching job? That seems to be a distinct possibility after Roy denied yesterday that he has been offered the same position with the Colorado Avalanche. The Denver Post reported yesterday that Roy had been offered the job in Colorado and was thinking it over. But the Hall of Fame goaltender quickly squelched the rumour when he told Radio-Canada: "I never received an offer ... but anyway, I'm not commenting." Roy flew to Denver this month to meet with Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix, a longtime friend who was once Roy's agent. While Roy said he took advantage of the opportunity to meet with Lacroix ..."
Mum's the word on Roy reunion
Comment
May 19
Denver Post
 
"For now, Tony Granato remains coach of the Avalanche, with former standout Patrick Roy in waiting should he want the job. And no one seems sure how long this drama will last. Roy denied he has received an offer to coach the team, as multiple NHL sources close to the Hall of Fame goaltender told The Denver Post on Sunday. He told the French language website SRC.ca, "I never received an offer. . . . But, anyway, I'm not commenting." Former Avalanche winger Matthew Barnaby, an ESPN hockey analyst, said he believes otherwise. "From what I've heard from Denver, he has been offered the job, and it is 50-50 whether he is going to take it," Barnaby said. "I think he's a great fit. "I think he's a ..."
Roy denies Avs have made offer
Comment
May 18
Denver Post
 
"Former Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy today denied receiving an offer from the Avs for a position with the team. "I never received an offer anyway, I'm not commenting," Roy told the french language website SRC.ca. NHL sources close to Roy have told The Denver Post the Avs have offered him their head coaching job and that he is mulling it over. Canadian sports network TSN also reported the Avs are "waiting for the phone to ring" from Roy, and that a job is his if he wants it. Avalanche vice president of media relations Jean Martineau said the team has no comment on the reports."
Roy has offer to coach Avs
Comment
May 18
Denver Post
 
"Five weeks after the conclusion of the Avalanche's season, Tony Granato officially still is the head coach. But perhaps not for long. Former Avs star Patrick Roy has been offered Granato's job and is mulling over the offer, according to multiple NHL sources who are close to Roy. The Hall of Fame goalie could not be reached for comment Sunday night, and the Avs had no comment about the possibility of Roy replacing Granato. Granato has not yet been told he's out of a job. Roy, the co-owner, general manager and coach of major-junior hockey's Quebec Remparts, has made no secret of his desire to move into NHL coaching at some point. He met 10 days ago with Avalanche officials to discuss the ..."
Roy deserves coaching shot, Bowman says
Comment
May 12
Montreal Gazette
 
"Scotty Bowman, who knows something about coaching, says he believes Patrick Roy is ready for a head-coaching job in the National Hockey League. "I think he has enough experience now and deserves an opportunity," Bowman told the Denver Post. "I know he has the passion to coach. He's done a good job in junior," added Bowman, who has won more games than any coach in NHL history. Roy has made it clear he's interested in making the jump from the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and has been mentioned as a possibility to coach the two teams he played for in the NHL - the Colorado Avalanche and the Canadiens. Roy seemed headed back to Colorado when he met with Avalanche ..."
Praise for Roy in bid for job
Comment
May 11
Denver Post
 
"If the Avalanche is seriously considering bringing Patrick Roy back as a coach, the widely acknowledged greatest NHL coach ever believes it might be a good move. "I think he has enough experience now and deserves an opportunity," said Scotty Bowman, the NHL's all-time coaching victory leader and current Chicago Blackhawks executive. "I know he has the passion to coach. He's done a good job in junior." On Sunday, however, fresh doubt was cast on whether the Avalanche will offer a coaching job to its former Hall of Fame goalie. Roy told the Quebec City newspaper, Le Soleil, that he would be interested in the vacant head coaching position of the other team he played for in the NHL, the ..."
Roy fits bill, but patience key virtue
Comment
May 10
Denver Post
 columnist Terry Frei
"At first glance, the Avalanche is treating Tony Granato abominably, bringing Patrick Roy to Denver to discuss a coaching job Granato officially still holds four weeks after the conclusion of Colorado's abysmal 2008-09 season. However, in this instance, it's clear that if the Avalanche subscribed to NHL conventional thinking, Granato - unfairly in my view - would have been made the fall guy long ago for the failings of an organization that is paying for drafting ineptitude in the early 2000s and front-office actions under Pierre Lacroix and Francois Giguere. Granato has two years remaining on his contract. If the Avalanche hires Roy or any other coach, Granato will be offered a position ..."
Granato playing waiting game
Comment
May 10
Denver Post
 columnist Mark Kiszla
"A telephone rings at the Tony Granato household and somebody yells "Dad!" for the Avalanche coach to take the call. The job status of Granato is up in the air, his boss has met with Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy, and there's a reporter on the line wanting to know if the Avs have decided who will be the coach of this last-place hockey team next season. "Kiz!" Granato says into the phone, and you can hear that upbeat smile in his voice. "You know I can't talk about this today." The NHL season was over long ago for the Avalanche. But the pressure on Granato is unrelenting. We shout the Avs should hire Roy as coach. We forget that Granato, who has two years remaining on his contract, is ..."
Roy meets with Lacroix
Comment
May 9
Denver Post
 
"Patrick Roy, the Hall of Fame former Avalanche goalie, left Denver on Friday after visiting with Avs president Pierre La-croix concerning a possible return to the team. What role Roy might have with the Avalanche remains the key unanswered question. The Avs have a vacancy at general manager, but Roy has been steadfast in his few public pronouncements that he would like to return to the NHL as a coach. But the Avs have a coach - Tony Granato - in place with two years left on his contract. The two men who could best summarize any plans going forward - Lacroix and Roy - will not comment, leaving an intriguing situation for everybody to ponder. Avalanche vice president of media relations Jean ..."
Report: Roy In Denver To Meet With Avalanche
Comment
May 8
TSN.ca
 
"Patrick Roy paid a visit to Denver this week amid speculation he may return to the team he starred with as a player over five years ago. According to the Denver Post, Roy met with Colorado Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix to discuss a position with the team. Avalanche vice president of media relations Jean Martineau told the newspaper that Roy was in Denver for a short visit and is departing today. Since retiring in 2003, Roy has been part owner and head coach of the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, winning a Memorial Cup title in 2006. The report indicates that Roy preferred to remain the head coach in Quebec as long as his sons, Jonathan and Frederick were ..."