Forgive the not-Red Wings nature of this news and allow a fan of the last great hockey rivalry to enjoy a quick jaunt across the grave of Patrick Roy’s failed NHL coaching experience.
You see, today Patrick Roy quit the Avalanche, like he had quit the Canadiens as a player, because he wasn’t getting his way. In a statement provided to PR Newswire, Roy explains something about misaligned visions between he and the organization:
I have thought long and hard over the course of the summer about how I might improve this team to give it the depth it needs and bring it to a higher level. To achieve this, the vision of the coach and VP-Hockey Operations needs to be perfectly aligned with that of the organization. He must also have a say in the decisions that impact the team’s performance. These conditions are not currently met.
Roy’s vision for the Avalanche seemed to be putting tough guys out, leaning too heavily on goalies, and apparently trying to pick perfect shots at the expense of actually controlling play. Despite a successful first season with the Avalanche built upon the mathematical proof that it is honestly possible to get lucky for an entire season which caused less-scrupulous writers to blow copious amounts of smoke directly up Roy’s five-hole, the last two seasons have seen the Avs miss the playoffs thanks in large part to coaching decisions.
Honestly, the only weird thing about Roy’s abrupt departure from the Avs today is that it didn’t come on the heels of a spanking by the Red wings. When the organization put together a front office and coaching staff built to remind fans of the good old days, it was either going to be supremely glorious, or it was going to end in a train-wreck. Fortunately, as we’ve learned many times over in Roy’s career, luck always runs out.
