Snapshots: Sakic, Roy, Subban, Puempel
After an unusual delay, the Colorado Avalanche have released a statement on the resignation of former head coach Patrick Roy. GM Joe Sakic wished Roy luck, and said the team will begin searching for their new coach immediately.
Here’s some more to think about as you process this surprising day:
- Staying with the Roy news, Sportsnet’s John Shannon tweeted today, further fueling talk of a rift between Avalanche GM Joe Sakic and his former coach. Shannon reports that the two weren’t even speaking during the free agency period.
- Elliott Friedman appeared on the NHL Network a few weeks ago. As transcribed by Chris Nichols for Today’s Slapshot, Friedman believes that the Canadiens made a conscious decision to trade P.K. Subban before his no-trade clause kicked in on July 1st of this year. Friedman also quotes a Canadiens player saying that the management and coaching staff believe the team is mentally and physically “soft.”
- Bob Duff at the Ottawa Citizen spoke to Senators forward Matt Puempel today. Puempel stressed his desire to play regularly in the NHL. He also discussed the organizational changes, and how that may affect his chances of making the team. Puempel, 23, was a first round pick of the Senators in 2011. He has scored four goals, six points in 39 NHL games over the last two seasons.
Patrick Roy Leaves Avalanche Organization
1:10pm: Roy has released a statement on his resignation. He seems to be quitting over a lack of influence in personnel decisions.
1:03pm: According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA, head coach Patrick Roy has resigned his position with the Colorado Avalanche.
Roy had coached the Avalanche since the 2013-14 season. In his first season with the team, Roy led the Avalanche to a first place finish in the Central Division. From there, the Avalanche were eliminated in the first round, and then failed to make the playoffs the next two years. Roy ends his tenure in Colorado with a record of 130-92-24 in 246 games.
It is of note that Roy explains his decision by suggesting he lacked input on personnel decisions. TSN’s Frank Seravelli reports that there had been “long-rumored discord” within the Avalanche organization. It has been reported before that Roy viewed Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie as “no more than a fifth defenseman.” Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic insisted this summer that he would not trade Barrie. Barrie re-signed with the Avalanche recently, signing a four-year contract, worth $5.5MM per season.
Roy played 478 as a goaltender for the Avalanche between 1995 to 2003, winning the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001. Roy also won the Conn Smythe trophy in 2001, and the William M. Jennings award, and was named a first team all-star in 2002.
Grigorenko, Avalanche Settle On Terms
According to Tim Wharnsby of CBC, the Colorado Avalanche and RFA forward Mikhail Grigorenko have agreed to terms on a contract for 2016-17. Grigorenko, who had an arbitration hearing scheduled for Friday and who just exchanged numbers with the club this morning, will receive $1.3MM for the upcoming campaign. The Avalanche had offered $950K with Grigorenko’s camp countering at $1.65MM. The settlement comes in at exactly the midpoint.
Grigorenko finished with six goals and 27 points in his first season with the Avalanche after coming over from Buffalo as part of the return in the blockbuster Ryan O’Reilly trade. The 22-year-old natural center has 12 goals and 41 points in 142 NHL contests.
The Sabres selected Grigorenko in the first-round, 12th overall, of the 2012 entry draft. Grigerenko played his junior hockey for Quebec in the QMJHL under current Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy. That likely played a role in his inclusion in the trad package for O’Reilly.
The signing leaves Tyson Barrie as the club’s lone remaining RFA. With more than $6MM in space left according to General Fanager, the Avalanche should have the necessary room to get a deal done with the defenseman, even if negotiations have reportedly not gone smoothly.
Nolan Pratt Hired By Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche have added to their coaching staff today, hiring former Av Nolan Pratt as an assistant coach. Pratt had been coaching as an assistant with the Blue Jackets’ affiliate, and was part of the Calder Cup winning staff last season.
A former NHL defenseman, Pratt was part of the 2000-01 Stanley Cup Champion Avalanche, though he didn’t suit up in the playoffs. He also won a Cup in 2003-04 as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Pratt played in 592 games in the NHL, logging just 65 points but spending 537 minutes in the penalty box. A hard-nosed player, he’ll return to the Avalanche organization looking to instill some toughness in their defense corps.
He’ll join a staff that includes former teammate Patrick Roy, along with fellow assistants Tim Army and Dave Farrish. Colorado had a disappointing year in 2015-16, finishing an even 39-39-4, five points out of a playoff spot.