Divorce

So Queneville is leaving the Avs. Everyone was so high on this guy when he rode into town. And as he leaves, I feel at least, cheated, but also dismissive and happy. I beg the question: Given his poor track record in St. Louis, why did Avs fans think that the returns under Queneville would be any better because he was coaching the burgundy and blue. I really feel suckered. If anything, the experience with Queneville should make Avs fans more skeptical about how new coaches will perform. While the Queneville years were generally successful, the Avs winning more than losing in an age of parody, the team seemed to be the incarnation of Joel's coaching ability. And I can mark that one word: Inconsistent. Up and down, good and bad, solid and porous. These all described the Queneville coached Avs. Last year's team finished 1 point out of the playoffs after an incredible season ending run; But where was the effort all year? This year's team was marred by injuries, yet seemed lose ground after a strong start and before the injury bug hit. The end of this season, losses to last place Edmonton and wins over first place Minnesota represent the dichotomy of the teams ability. These trends are a bad reflection on the coach. Solidly coached teams are not Jeykll & Hyde, they win consistently, almost pattern like. But face the facts, under Quinville, the Avs were frustratingly inconsistent. And in light of this revelation, I think that getting rid of Quinville is a positive move for the franchise. Queneville was Lacroix's coach. Queneville represented an icon of the past, the glory years of the franchise. Lacroix was hoping to establish confidence in a team whose identity was decimated by the strike and the new CBA with a coach that could inspire belief in the franchise as if its greatness could be invoked like a storied college football program. Queneville was that coach. But it turned out memories of past glory was not enough. Queneville wasn't the answer because the next period of greatness for the Avalanche won't come from drumming up ghosts of the past. All along, the team needed a new identity and a fresh face behind the bench. Queneville wasn't that, not that he ever could have been, and that's why he was ultimately a failure. The next coach of the Avs, number 5 in 13 seasons if your keeping track at home, will be Frank Giguere's coach, as he continues to strive to break free of Lacroix's penguinish shadow and establish his own mark on the franchise.