Final Thoughts
Jun 24, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy poses with the Jack Adams Trophy after being named head coach of the year during the 2014 NHL Awards ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
There is so much that goes into roster decisions. Most of it is miles over my head. I admit that. The decisions above aren’t even the ones that surprised me the most. As it stands, head coach Patrick Roy has stated these are the lines for opening night:
Blake Comeau-Matt Duchene-Jarome Iginla
Gabriel Landeskog-Nathan MacKinnon-Alex Tanguay
Mikko Rantanen-Carl Soderberg-Borna Rendulic
Cody McLeod–John Mitchell-Jack Skille
Erik Johnson-Fracncois Beauchemin
Tyson Barrie-Nate Guenin
Nikita Zadorov… The decision hasn’t been made, but I’m guessing Brad Stuart (Leadership).
Some of those forward lines leave me scratching my head. I didn’t expect coach Roy to promote MacKinnon up to the second line centerman already — I thought he’d ease in as the third. I don’t love Comeau on Duchene’s wing, but, hey, if it’s good enough for Sidney Crosby… I don’t understand breaking up the chemistry between fellow Swedes Carl Soderberg and Gabriel Landeskog.
That’s just it — I don’t understand. I could watch hundreds hours of hockey tape and still not see the game a fraction as well as Patrick Roy does stinking drunk with only one eye slitted open. (To be clear, I’m not suggesting he’s even been in that state — it’s called hyperbole.)
Head coach Patrick Roy has a plan for the Colorado Avalanche. He’s got play he wants to see on the ice. He has skills he wants to see complementing other skills between players. He has matchups with different teams that he wants to see.
Because Patrick Roy does watch hundreds of hours of hockey tape, and he’s already coming into it with a brilliant hockey mind.
So, rather than question a great man who has proven himself on both sides of the bench. I’m going to watch and learn.
Who’s with me, Avs Nation?
Next: Why Roy and Sakic are Invaluable
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