Can Fiery Roy Handle the Hot Seat?

On the ice, Patrick Roy had few rivals. The former Montreal Canadiens & Colorado Avalanche goalie is regarded as one of the best shot stoppers of all-time, having amassed 551 career wins, 66 shutouts, 4 Stanley Cups, 3 Conn Smythe trophies, 3 Vezina trophies & 11 All-Star selections. But, now "Saint Patrick" steps into a completely new & more stressful role, that of an NHL coach.

Patrick Roy: Can he translate his hockey IQ into coaching success?

 
Having coached & managed the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the past 8 seasons, Roy has built an impressive resume, going 348-196 with Memorial Cup success in the "Q". Critics say the hiring of Roy is a PR move, solely made to sell tickets. That very well could be, but the question is: can Roy cut it in the big leagues?

The example of Wayne Gretzky is often cited as the ultimate coaching horror story. The greatest player that ever played turned to coaching the woeful Phoenix Coyotes and left the profession after 4 miserable years. The story ended with Gretzky leaving the coaching position with the Coyotes with his tail between his legs after compiling a 47% winning percentage & not making the playoffs a single time in his 4 year tenure.

Wayne Gretzky: Should have retired & stayed away from coaching

So, can we expect to see Roy head back to Quebec City after posting a wretched coaching record with the Colorado Avalanche in the next 4 years (or less)? Don't put your money on it, Patrick Roy is no Wayne Gretzky when it comes to coaching. Where Gretzky was a stone cold rookie to the profession, Roy has had 8 years to learn his trade & also act as a general manager of the Remparts. While the QMJHL cannot compare to the NHL, Roy has the experience needed as a coach to encourage & motivate from the bench. Often, the hardest part of the transition for great players who decide to start coaching in the big leagues right off the bat is that they cannot teach their own greatness to lesser athletes. Roy already has the experience & patience required, having taught players in the juniors.

"The Great One" was also put into a less desirable situation, having a weaker roster during his tenure in Phoenix. Whereas Roy has a better group of players at his disposal going forward. Gretzky's leading goal scorers in his final season (2008-09) were Shane Doan (old, even then), Olli Jokinen (the fizzling out of his career had started) & Steve Reinprecht (you get my point), with young guns Kyle Turris & Mikkel Boedker waiting in the wings (both of these players have proven to be busts so far in their careers).

Roy does not have an embarrassment of riches either, but his foundation is a solid one to build from: Gabriel Landeskog (20), Matt Duchene (22), this year's surprise performer PA Parenteau (30), along with defenceman Erik Johnson, who is entering the prime of his career (25). With free agency & the 1st overall draft pick in 2013 coming, the Avs are going to get better with time.

Matt Duchene: Colorado's New Star in the Roy/Sakic Regime

The hiring of Roy & new executive Joe Sakic is undeniably a PR move by the Colorado Avalanche. It allows fans to hearken the old days of their Stanley Cup runs, which will likely translate into some extra ticket sales during this re-build. But, that is not the only motivation behind this hire. Roy represents a fresh start for the Avalanche. Expect Roy & Sakic to stockpile young talent over the next couple of years & attempt to build a powerhouse for years to come, much like the Pittsburgh Penguins & Chicago Blackhawks over the last decade. Nostalgia will buy them time with the fan base to build a solid foundation within the locker room & make a push in the next 2-3 years as the team matures.