Making hockey matter again in Colorado...Part one

Game seven of the Stanley Cup play-offs is a big deal in a lot of places – Detroit and Pittsburgh jump to mind. But it creates barely a ripple around here, especially at the end of an NBA season that was one of the best ever in Denver.

The once mighty and powerful Colorado Avalanche – formerly regular participants in the Stanley Cup play-offs – have fallen on hard times, and their struggles have created a void – a serious reduction in the importance of the game of hockey in our region. The University of Denver Pioneers continue to do well, and the minor league Colorado Eagles in Loveland and Rocky Mountain Rage in Broomfield have nice followings. Yet the game is off the front page, so to speak, in this state’s media center. The Avalanche, a club with a long string of sell-outs just a few years ago, has sunk to near the bottom of the NHL in attendance. They just don’t matter around here anymore.

Denver and the surrounding region is not a “Hockey Town” like Detroit. For a long time it was an ‘Avalanche Town” while the team was winning, but there’s a big difference. The Avs don’t draw when they aren’t winning, which creates a big problem for a franchise with a big payroll. Things have to change in order for the franchise to regain its relevance. That being the case, I sought the counsel of Mike Keating, for six years a conditioning coach and trainer for the Chicago Blackhawks. Keating is now a partner in the highly successful Impact Sports Performance Center in Broomfield. He spent many nights in old Chicago Stadium, where the playing of the national anthem prior to a Blackhawks game would make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Mike has seen hockey done right, and what it takes to make the game truly matter.

I asked Mike to list of the best ways to make the Avalanche relevant again. He began with the recent moves – mostly cosmetic – in the Avalanche front office, and what needs to be done from here.

“Lots of changes were just made, some good, some bad,” Keating said. “Tony Granato had to go, but some great people did not; like the Assistant GM and NHL Hall of Famer Michel Goulet. Most people don’t realize that he was replaced by Pierre Lacroix’s son Eric (not Craig Billington as it shows on paper) who will be nothing more than a puppet. In reality, Eric is being groomed to be the next GM and will be undermining the recently hired GM Greg Sherman – who also isn’t qualified for this position. Eric’s been a train wreck throughout his career – just ask his former team mates. The change that really needed to be made was the firing of Pierre Lacroix. He’s become ineffective and irrelevant for the Avs. He hired a lame duck GM last year and then fired him a year into a job where he had no control and no players. Hiring, then firing Granato…then hiring and firing Granato again. Was this Steinbrenner and Billy Martin? While Tony’s still the coach, Lacroix is offering the job to Patrick Roy (bad choice) who ultimately turns them down, embarrassing the entire organization. It’s time for Pierre to move on; otherwise Avs fans are in for a drought for at least the next few years.”

Second, Mike addressed the team’s recent history with draft picks and free agent signings:

“Young stars are abundant in the NHL,” Keating stated. “Currently and the Avs have none. In a league that used to thrive on savvy veterans, the new style of play has brought the flashy speedsters to the forefront. Take a look at the Stanley Cup playoffs and Finals for example. The Penguins had Crosby, Malkin and Fleury. Even the “old” Red Wings are relying on Franzen, Helm and Filpulla to name a few. Of course everyone knows the story of the Blackhawks from literally worst to first with Kane, Toews, and the rest of the young guns. The Avs need young stars and they need them now! This of course starts with the draft - which has NOT been a bright spot for the Avs of late.

“In regards to free agency,” he added, “The Avs have also flopped by signing players that have not panned out or were just flat out poor players. Classic example: Scott Parker. Are you kidding me? He’s a human pylon. When he’s on the ice, it’s like being a man down on the penalty kill. Another bad signing was Adam Foote. Great guy and former great player who’s seen his game slip. They actually moved him out at the perfect time, only to re-sign him to almost $3 million a year. He’s so slow and ineffective now he’s a burden to the team, both with performance and salary cap. Somebody needs to be brought in who knows how to evaluate young talent.”

Keating lamented the lack of star power on the current Avalanche roster.

“Take a look at the Avs roster and see how many names you actually know,” he challenged. “Here are a few to chew on: Hannan, Hensick, Ledin, Clark. Does anyone in Colorado have a jersey with their names on the back? Just so you know, these players make a combined $9.2 million – and no one knows who they are! The big names the Avs do have are either passed their prime (Joe Sakic and umm…yeah that’s it) or aren’t very marketable to date (Liles, Wolski and Stastny) even if they are great players.”

Keating had much more to offer up. Stay tuned for Part Two…
 

For more info: Colorado Avalanche Examiner Brian Thompson