Sep 29, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Flames won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Roy is a hockey innovator.
Avs Nation became divided today when head coach Patrick Roy announced his final roster decisions. We already knew forward Curtis Glencross had been cut and that Jesse Winchester was on injured reserve. That left the decision of who would be the last person cut from the team.
Coach Roy announced that right wing Dennis Everberg was being sent to the San Antonio Rampage. That would have been enough to send rumbles through Avs Nation.
And then coach Roy made the proclamation that proved to be the dividing line in the sand:
"“Barrie will play with Guenin.”"
Those five little words heralding that Tyson Barrie would be partnered with his partner from last season, Nate Guenin, might have been shots fired in what proved to be a civil war in Avs Nation. There were those saying “In Roy we trust” and those claiming Patrick Roy was hurting the Colorado Avalanche.
Some tried to be Switzerland and remain neutral, but that mostly looked like “Let’s wait and see what happens opening night — then I’ll jump into one of the camps.”
You know by now in which camp I fall. Rather than argue why I’m convinced head coach Patrick Roy (4-time Stanley Cup champion, 3-time Vezina Trophy winner, 3-time Conn Smythe winner, Memorial Cup finalist as QMJHL coach and Jack Adams winner as NHL coach) knows more about hockey than me (a fan).
Instead, I’m going to explain what I think Patrick Roy is thinking.
Next: Rantanen and Skille