Avs to Hire Roy as Coach?

According to the Denver Post, the Colorado Avalanche have offered their head coaching position to Hall of Fame netminder Patrick Roy. Roy helped lead the team to two Stanley Cup titles in 1996 and 2001 and retired in 2003 as the winningest goaltender in NHL history, a record recently surpassed by New Jersey's Martin Brodeur.

Roy may be the ideal candidate in the mind of Pierre Lacroix but there's one problem. They already have a coach. As in current coach Tony Granato who is still in charge of the team at the moment.

So not only are the Avalanche making this situation really awkward on Granato who has been nothing but a good solider for them, they're not saying a word. According to the Post, the team met with Roy 10 days ago and has not publicly commented on Roy's or Granato's status with the team.

Since retiring from the NHL, Roy's hockey career has seen its share of ups and downs. He took over as vice president, GM, owner and coach of the QMJHL's Quebec Ramparts. In 2006, he won the Memorial Cup with the team, his first season as coach.

Since then Roy and his two sons who play for the Ramparts have had their share of controversy. In 2007, he was charged with assault by Chicoutimi Saguenéens owner Pierre Cardinal. In 2008, his son Frederick was suspended 15 games after cross checking an opponent in the head after play had stopped during a game. But, no mention of Patrick Roy and his sons would be complete if I didn't mention Jonathan's epic freakout during a playoff game against the Saguenéens.

During a brawl, Jonathan skated to the other end of the ice to fight the opposing goaltender allegedly at the behest of Patrick (a claim he denies). After beating the heck out of the other goalie, who turtled, Jonathan skated off the ice flashing the double bird to the crowd. And yes, the following video is of this incident.



I think I speak for anyone who covers hockey in North America -- and anyone who likes wild, unhinged entertainment -- when I say that Roy needs to get hired by the Avalanche as soon as possible.