WisconsinSooner
5/12/2006, 04:56 PM
DENVER -- Pierre Lacroix abruptly stepped down as general manager of the Avalanche on Friday, a day after Colorado was swept out of the playoffs in a series that exposed a series of flaws in a team once considered among the NHL's elite.
Lacroix will retain his position as president of the team and will appoint a new GM. He said the move was prompted by a desire to spend more time with his family.
He said he and team owner Stan Kroenke had decided last year that this season would be Lacroix's last as general manager.
After a 4-1 loss to the Mighty Ducks on Thursday night, Colorado coach Joel Quenneville said the Avs will have to reshape themselves this offseason to match the faster pace that the Ducks displayed all series.
"Look at the teams that are leading and still alive in the playoffs, from top to bottom they have quickness," he said. "You can call it the Super Trifecta: they have size, they have speed, they have skill, and they have youth."
Lacroix will retain his position as president of the team and will appoint a new GM. He said the move was prompted by a desire to spend more time with his family.
He said he and team owner Stan Kroenke had decided last year that this season would be Lacroix's last as general manager.
After a 4-1 loss to the Mighty Ducks on Thursday night, Colorado coach Joel Quenneville said the Avs will have to reshape themselves this offseason to match the faster pace that the Ducks displayed all series.
"Look at the teams that are leading and still alive in the playoffs, from top to bottom they have quickness," he said. "You can call it the Super Trifecta: they have size, they have speed, they have skill, and they have youth."