In a move that was really not too surprising, the Colorado Avalanche parted ways Friday with three year head coach Joel Quenneville. The Avalanche enjoyed relatively little success with Quenneville at the helm as compared to their first ten years in Denver. The club missed the playoffs one season ('06-'07) and was eliminated in the conference semis two other years after first round successes that most considered upsets. The Avalanche lacked an offensive dynamic during Quenneville's tenure and often had trouble scoring and even getting ample scoring opportunities. Goaltending was often an issue, and the power play was abysmal and worse during his coaching years. Quenneville will land on his feet quite nicely, probably with the Toronto Maple Leafs in an Eastern Conference that is more suitable for his coaching strategy style. The Avalanche will hopefully land a coach that is more creative offensively and develops strategies at both ends of the ice that better utilize the club's personnel strengths and talents. Colorado has the players to be competitive and even successful in '08-'09 and the right coach in the Mile High City will only serve to make this even more possible. Among those being speculated as a possible replacement include longtime Avalanche Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy. Hopefully it will not be a has-been retread like Pat Burns, Andy Murray, or John Muckler.-
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_9206746
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http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=frei_terry&id=3389209
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http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/may/09/speculation-on-avs-successor-already-under-way/
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Quenneville
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Avalanche
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http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_9209635
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