I’m Not Ready To Move On

-Alaina Scarano-Isbouts

Greg Sherman.  Joe Sacco.  Sylvain Lefebvre.  There have been a lot of new names thrown around the front office of the Colorado Avalanche.  But one thing is for certain: the message is loud and clear.  There is no turning back now.

Pierre Lacroix is getting this franchise ready for the post-Joe-Sakic era.  While Sakic still hasn’t made a decision on whether or not he will be returning to the Avs for a 21st season with the franchise, the team seems to be moving on ahead of him.  Sakic missed most of the 08-09 season with multiple injuries, participating in only 15 games and notching just 12 points.  Sakic has worn the “C” on his sweater proudly for 19 years, but in the last few off seasons has taken longer and longer to commit to another year on the ice, each year signing only a one-year contract.

Avs Cup Half Empty or Half Full?

Here are a few facts that will make you hate life as an Avs fan right now:

• Last night’s 2-7 loss to Anaheim secured our fate outside of the playoffs for the 2nd time in 3 years
• The Avs have now given up 15 goals in their last 2 home games
• Neither one of our goalies could stop any pucks last night, making the situation for a goalie even more dire
• Stastny is out “2-4 weeks” with a broken foot.  When was the last time you ever saw anyone come back after 2 weeks with a broken foot? 
• Ruslan Salei left the game with an injured knee last night; no word yet on his status
• Each passing day is one more day closer to the 09-10 season that Joe Sakic hasn’t committed to returning
• Cody McCormick will not be signing autographs at Conoco today (in case anyone was actually going to that)
• The Avs have never been this far back in the Western Conference this late in the season
• Last night was the fifth game the Avs lost in a row — and this is the 3rd time the Avs have reached that number this season
• As of last night, the Avs were ranked 25th in the league in fan attendance, bringing in an average of 15,595 fans per home game
• The Avs only have $13 million to sign 10 players (plus a goalie, plus Sakic) in the off-season

But do not despair, Avs fans.  Although those facts might be enough to make you whine more than Jeremy Roenick, there are some good tidbits as well.  Facts to dry your tears: