Avalanche Name Joe Sacco Coach, Keep Promoting From Within

Over 13 years in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche have developed quite the reputation. They were quick winners, winning a Stanley Cup in their first season there after moving from Quebec.

They've also continued a trend of promoting from within this week. After firing coach Tony Granato and naming assistant general manager Craig Sherman to the GM post Wednesday, the Avalanche reached into their farm system to replace Granato.

Former NHLer Joe Sacco, most recently the head coach of the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters, takes over as the head coach, according to the Denver Post. Like the NHL team, the Monsters struggled in 2008-2009, winning 34 games, compiling 76 total points, and missing the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Sacco's playing career lasted a little more than a decade. He played for Toronto, Anaheim, Washington, Philadelphia, and the Islanders.

Lake Erie assistant Sylvain Lefebvre, a former Colorado defenseman, will serve as Sacco's assistant in Denver.

On one hand, at least the Avalanche resisted the temptation to hire a retread. Both former Colorado coaches who won the Stanley Cup -- Bob Hartley and Marc Crawford -- were available.

However, this is hardly a move that inspires confidence in the franchise. They were the worst team in the Western Conference, and fans aren't going to be energized by the team hiring the coaching staff from their mediocre farm team.

Perhaps Wild beat writer Michael Russo said it best.

Lastly, aren't you glad you're a Wild fan? Imagine being in Colorado. Sorry, but at least Wild owner Craig Leipold conducts a far and wide GM search to get the best possible candidate and then announces him with a little fanfare.

The Avs do what they always do - hire internally.

Greg Sherman - the assistant GM - was hired today to replace Francois Giguere accompanied by the most underwhelming press release announcement ever. From Pierre Lacroix: "Greg Sherman deserves the opportunity to prove he can be an effective general manager in our business."

I bet Avs fans everywhere are excited after that line.

You hate to be judgmental, but the Avalanche appear to have done their fans a great disservice. It will be interesting to see if they ever took a serious look outside the organization before making these moves. This one has "rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic" written all over it.