I’ve outlined the Colorado Avalanche’s struggles under Patrick Roy, which has continued throughout this season as the club has floundered to a 3-7-1 start. The team has gotten progressively worse under Roy’s reign, which you’d think would put him on the hot seat, but Avalanche Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic says his job is safe.
Roy is not on the hot seat, Sakic said, because he still believes the team has a great opportunity to win under the coach, wrote Mike Chambers of the Denver Post.
“You’re always looking for ways to improve your club. But it has got to make sense for now and down the line,” Sakic said. “We’re not the only team that’s off to a slow start. It’s a position we don’t to be in. But you can’t do anything about it now. We’re in it and the guys must find a way to get out of it, and get out of it quick.”
Defending his coach, Sakic said it’s up to the players to start winning, and the perception of Roy being too soft on players isn’t fair.
“Everybody knows. We all watch the same thing. You all know who’s struggling. It’s time for the players to find a way to win hockey games. There are no excuses. And to make it clear, Patrick is different in the dressing room than out in public.”
Regardless of the perception surrounding Roy, it’s impossible to ignore how bad the Avalanche have played under him. Sakic, one of Roy’s former teammates, is clearly delusional if he thinks the struggles are all on the players because no team should be as bad at suppressing shots at even strength as the Avs have been. Coaching is clearly an issue and it’s hard to believe the Avalanche can right the ship as long as Roy is behind the bench.
