Avs can make changes without cleaning house
As noted before, the Avalanche apparently is sticking with general manager Joe Sakic and coach Jared Bednar in the wake of the worst regular-season performance (22-56-4) the NHL has seen since the expansion Atlanta Thrashers in 19992000.
Events of the last couple of weeks are reminders of how drastically that cuts against the NHL grain.
On Thursday, the Buffalo Sabres fired general manager Tim Murray and coach Dan Bylsma. In the wake of the moves, owner Terry Pegula — whose portfolio also includes the Buffalo Bills — appeared at a news conference for about 15 minutes to discuss the moves. The Sabres were 33-37-12 for 78 points, or 26th overall in the 30-team league.
Earlier moves since the regular season ended included:
• The Los Angeles Kings — whose majority owner is Denver billionaire Phil Anschutz — fired GM Dean Lombardi and coach Darryl Sutter, the tandem running the hockey operation and the bench during the Stanley Cup runs in 2012 and ’14. Former star winger Luc Robitaille took over as president, and ex-defenseman Rob Blake — whose contractual militancy in 2001 led to his trade from the Kings to the Avalanche — stepped up from assistant GM to take over for Lombardi. The Kings were 39-35-8 for 86 points, or 22nd overall.
• The Florida Panthers demoted GM and interim coach Tom Rowe to a special adviser’s role to Dale Tallon, who stepped back into the GM job and whose coaching search includes the University of Denver’s Jim Montgomery as one possibility. The Panthers were 35-36-11 for 81 points, or 23rd overall.
• The Dallas Stars fired coach Lindy Ruff and soon brought back Ken Hitchcock for his second tour of duty. The Stars were 3437-11 for 79 points, or 24th overall.
• The Vancouver Canucks fired coach Willie Desjardins. The Canucks were 3043-9 for 69 points, or 29th overall.
Beneath them all, in the 30th spot, the Avalanche probably is standing pat. I’m on record: I don’t have a problem with the lack of changes if the justification is that Sakic’s coherent “core” strategy, while unsuccessful in 2016-17, has both painted the Avalanche into a corner and made it defensible to see how it plays out next season. Sakic’s offseason challenge is to make significant progress in providing that core — if it stays intact, and that especially means keeping Matt Duchene and Gabe Landeskog — with a competent supporting cast.
Bednar walked into such a bizarre situation, he also should get a second chance under different circumstances. He already is formulating offseason plans within the framework of what’s possible under the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
But that doesn’t mean changes aren’t needed.
Those involve a mind-set and approach, and perhaps the hiring of a sharp, experienced, opinionated “hockey man” as Sakic’s No. 2. That hire would step above assistant GMs Chris MacFarland, whose past connections to the Columbus organization at times have led to this organization looking like Blue Jackets West; and Craig Billington, who is more into overseeing player development. And if that move is viewed as the hiring of Sakic’s possible successor, so be it. It also ultimately could save his job.
Sakic also needs to combat his image, fair or otherwise, as stopping short of putting in the nose-to-the-grindstone hours and immersion necessary for NHL front-office success, whether from a Hall of Famer or a guy who never played in the league. The opinionated Patrick Roy’s departure also increased the chances of Sakic being told only what those around him believe he wanted to hear … rather than the occasional sharp-edged candor needed.
The Kroenke ownership continues to largely stay out of the way on hockey. I don’t understand those who knock that. Do you want Daniel Snyder? This team hugged the NHL’s $73 million salary cap last season, so the player payroll isn’t the problem. The strange part, though, is being inexplicably cost-conscious in other aspects of the hockey operation.
Just assuming improvement is inevitable is the most dangerous strategy of all.