Today’s official announcement of Joe Sakic’s retirement got me thinking back to when the Colorado Avalanche was a mainstay atop the Western Conference standings for almost a decade.
The Avs moved to Denver from Quebec with an array of talent, including Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and Adam Foote; the team also acquired Patrick Roy in their first season. And in their first year as the Avalanche, they lifted Lord Stanley down in Miami, winning the franchise’s first Cup. Although they didn’t reach the finals in the next 4 seasons, they were still a force in the West. Colorado averaged over 99 points a season and a 2nd place finish in the conference in that time.
Then the Avalanche won ‘Ray’s Cup’ in 2001 in a classic 7-game series against the Devils. That team was dominant in its own right, taking the President’s Trophy and possessing a potent roster filled with current and future stars. Roy cemented his legacy as arguably the best goalie of all-time with his 3rd Conn Smythe. After winning 2 Cups in a 6-year span, it looked as though the franchise would continue its prowess for years to come.
But the next 2 playoff exits would signal the beginning of the end to Colorado’s great run. In the 2002 Western Conference Finals, they lost Game 7 in Detroit by a score of 7-0. It was an embarrassing outing that the Avs would’ve liked to have back. The very next season, in the first round against the 6th-seeded Wild, they lost Game 7 on home-ice as Andrew Brunette slipped the game-winner past Roy in overtime. They blew a 3-1 series lead, and lost the last 2 games in overtime. That summer, Roy announced his retirement from the NHL.
Ever since then, the Avs just have not been the same. A reunion of Kariya & Selanne didn’t work in the 03-04 season, and David Aebischer didn’t come close to filling the shoes of Roy in net. After the lockout, they made it to the 2nd round of the ’06 playoffs, only to get swept by the Mighty Ducks. In the 06-07 season, they missed the postseason for the first time since the move to Denver. And this past season, after getting overwhelmed the eventual-champ Red Wings in the playoffs, they had their worst season. The Avs recorded an abysmal point total of 69.
Their unprecedented sellout streak ended in 2006 at 487 games… they’ve missed the playoffs 2 of the last 3 years… they’ve struggled to consistently keep a coach behind the bench in recent years… and today, the last of that all-star core (Roy, Forsberg, Sakic) is departing the Rocky Mountains. It’s safe to say that the Avalanche have hit rock bottom. And there’s nowhere to go but up.
With their long-time captain and face of the franchise now out of the fold, a new era can begin. Paul Stastny has had instant success in the league, racking up 185 points in his first 193 games. #3 overall pick Matt Duchene is going to be a star for years to come (possibly as soon as this winter). They also have some solid prospects in the system that will make an impact within the next couple years.
A foundation has been laid for another shot at glory in Colorado. Stastny & Duchene have the potential to come close to the equivalent of Sakic & Forsberg. With a new GM and coach on board, times are changing out in the Rockies. In the next 5-10 years, I’m confident that the Avalanche will get closer to the top of that mountain once again.
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