The Avalanche has fallen from grace since its magical regular-season run in 2013-14, the 112-point first year under the Joe Sakic/Patrick Roy regime. Draft mistakes, failed trades, over-valuing veterans, and poor free-agent signings have contributed. But make no mistake, the player-personnel errors began long before Sakic replaced Greg Sherman as general manager after the 2012-13 season. No choices from the 2008 and 2010 draft classes have played 100 NHL games, and Sakic wasn’t in charge when Colorado chose first-round busts Joey Hishon (2010) and Duncan Siemens (2011). Also, none of the Avs’ top three picks in 2012, when Sakic still was in his Hockey Hall of Fame retirement as a player, have played an NHL game.
Analysis: Colorado Avalanche’s downfall a result of draft, personnel miscues
