Kulstad Posted April 28, 2013 Report Share Posted April 28, 2013 As per NHL.com (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=668126&navid=DL|NHL|home) Sacco out as Avalanche coach after four seasonsSunday, 04.28.2013 / 2:00 PM / News NHL.com Comment Print The Colorado Avalanche have fired coach Joe Sacco, the team announced Sunday. Sacco was hired June 4, 2009, to replace Tony Granato. The Avalanche made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Sacco's first season, earning the eighth seed in the Western Conference before losing to the top-seeded San Jose Sharks in the first round. They have failed to qualify in each of the three seasons since. Colorado slumped from 95 points to 68 points in his Sacco's second season, but with the help of Calder Trophy winner Gabriel Landeskog, the Avalanche improved to 88 points in 2011-12 and remained in the playoff chase until late in the campaign. This season began with the team's top scorer from a year ago, Ryan O'Reilly, without a contract. There was a slow start (losses in four of six) and the Avalance never climbed above .500 again. Dropping eight of nine near the end of March was the worst stretch, but Colorado never won more than two games in a row this season and finished in 29th place in the League standings for the second time in three years. "The organization believes a change of leadership behind the bench is needed going forward," Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman said in a statement. "Joe has worked for this franchise for eight seasons and he is a dedicated and hard-working coach. We appreciate all he has done and wish him the best in the future." The next coach of the Avalanche will be in charge of restoring a once-proud franchise. Colorado made the playoffs in each of its first 10 years after moving to Denver from Quebec City and won the Stanley Cup twice, but the Avalanche have reached the postseason twice since 2006. Colorado will possess one of the top three picks in the 2013 NHL Draft as well a roster with several quality young players including Landeskog, O'Reilly and Matt Duchene. Sacco finished 130-134-30 in four seasons with the Avalance. It was his first job as an NHL coach after four years in the American Hockey League, including the two prior to joining the Avalanche as coach of Colorado's AHL affiliate in Cleveland, the Lake Erie Monsters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_People1 Posted April 28, 2013 Report Share Posted April 28, 2013 They have a good team and at one point in time 2 seasons ago, there was talks of him being the coach of the year because the Avs were on fire and playing well. I'm not sure what happened with that team. They were never the same again since the Stewart + Shattenkirk for Johnson trade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDeeds Posted April 28, 2013 Report Share Posted April 28, 2013 Never been a big fan of Sacco here. Most Av's fans on their forums feel the real problem is Sherman. Not sure Lindy Ruff would be a good fit but he likely would be a substantial upgrade. Avs tend to promote from within when they can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CastleMania Posted April 28, 2013 Report Share Posted April 28, 2013 They have a good team and at one point in time 2 seasons ago, there was talks of him being the coach of the year because the Avs were on fire and playing well. I'm not sure what happened with that team. They were never the same again since the Stewart + Shattenkirk for Johnson trade. Anderson was one of, if not the, best goalie in the league that year. That's what happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DL44 Posted April 29, 2013 Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 Anderson was one of, if not the, best goalie in the league that year. That's what happened. The Avs were thinking he was a flash in the pan - like rest of the hockey world at the time. Andersen has since proven otherwise. That and INJURIES galore the following yr... one of the most ravaged teams in the league over the last few yrs. BUT they have pieces. The coaching change usually pressurizes a GM into making significant moves to to solidify and arm his new coach for better success to show he wasn't the real problem.. We'll see.. But i'm expecting the Avs to be players for a lot of those Tiers 2 UFA's the teams with a lot of cap space would be after.. stop me if this sounds familiar - a lot of good youth and great pieces, now need to shore up thier depth and the cap space to do so.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zirakzigil Posted April 29, 2013 Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 He needed to go long ago. Sherman as well. That team is mismanaged terribly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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