The Colorado Avalanche have apparently signed Patrick Bordeleau to a three year deal, worth $3 million. I am a HUGE fan of Bordy, so I am psyched to hear this news (or read it- but really, how cool would it be if someone had shouted this down the street and I learned that way?)

Bordeleau is perhaps the most talented player I’ve ever seen who’s been pegged as the enforcer. His skating has improved tremendously in the past few years, and he’s really good at working hard along the boards. He’s the biggest forward the Avs have, and he definitely uses his size on the ice.

It’s also been reported that a deal is pretty much done between the Avalanche and Francois Allair for Allair to become the next goalie coach for the team (Adrian Dater of the Denver Post believes this will be officially announced tomorrow), and also that Adam Foote may be coming back to the organization in a part time role as a defensive specialist coach.

St. Patrick is coming back to Colorado. Today, the Colorado Avalanche officially announced that Patrick Roy will be the head coach in the coming season. Roy was also named Vice President of Hockey Operations.

First of all, you should know that Patrick Roy is my all time favorite player. When I was a toddler, and my parents took me to games, I would shout “ah beh huh Roy!” whenever he skated on the ice or made a big save. My parents had no idea what I meant, and I don’t have any insight into my two year old mind, so basically, this is just a funny story to point out that even as a young fan. Roy won two Cups here in Colorado, and two with his initial team the Montreal Canadiens. I could go through his amazing stats, and be technical, but I’m not going to. I’m just going to say that Patrick Roy is the greatest goaltender to ever play the game, and I am willing to fight you on that.

Now, he hasn’t come back to tend the Avalanche net, he’s come back to coach. For the past eight years, Roy has been the head coach and general manager of the Quebec Ramparts of the QMJL. He doesn’t have any NHL coaching experience, but I’m not particularly concerned. In my mind, a good coach is a good coach. Roy has the fire and the passion that this organization has lacked these past few years. He’s spent his time as a coach dealing with young players, who still need to develop, and when one considers how many young players the Avs have, I think this could really work well for the team that has been assembled.

Three days ago, Roy’s brother, Stephane, announced on his facebook page that his brother had been hired by the Avs The post was later deleted, but it was obviously accurate. So, I’ve had my fingers crossed that this would be announced soon for a couple of days now.

Photo: Bridget Samuels/Flickr.

Gabe Landeskog will return to the lineup tomorrow afternoon against the Los Angeles Kings. He’s missed the past 11 games since taking a hard hit from the Sharks Brad Stuart. Obviously, his presence will really excite the team and get them energized. It all feels a bit fast to me-it seems like he’s only been skating for a week. However, he’s been cleared medically, so I expect he is really raring to go.

In the first four games this season, he scored one goal and was a +3. I wouldn’t expect him to start scoring right away, but he’s a good player even when he’s off the scoresheet, and the team will be happy to have him back. There’s still been no word yet on Milan Hejduk. I’m not sure if this is a good thing (as in, he needed to sit out the rest of the game Wednesday, but with a couple days of rest he’ll be good to go tomorrow) or if this is a bad thing (as in he has suffered a massive season-ending injury). I’m hoping for the former, obviously, but preparing myself for the latter.

*UPDATE*

Milan Hejduk did practice and will be on the trip. Sgarbossa was reassigned to Lake Erie.

Bordeleau didn’t earn any points, but I thought he played well tonight. Thanks to GH’s LEM contributor, Todd, for this picture!

My throat hurts. My face may be permanently stuck with a maniacal smile. I have an insane urge to leap into the air and perform Olympic-level gymnastics. Also a desire to hug everybody. I’m blasting party music. These can all be symptoms of one thing, and one thing only: my boys won their first hockey game in nine months tonight. I’ve taken a quick inventory of everything I’m wearing (down to the socks and the underwear), so that I can replicate this outfit in it’s entirety for the next game I attend.

» Continue reading “Avs Win Home Opener!”

Photo: Bridget Samuels/Flickr.

I just found out that the Avalanche have signed Cody McLeod to a 3 year extension. There is no word yet on the monetary details*, but I expect his cap hit will stay close to what it was this season ($1,033,000). I’m really happy to hear that McLeod will be back. He might not score a lot of points, but he is absolutely one of the heart and soul, “glue” guys on the team. He is a leader in the lockerroom (evidenced by the fact he has worn the “A” on multiple occasions). Welcome back, Cody Mac. See you in September!

*$3.75 million over the next three years. So a cap hit of 1.15 million for the next three years.