If the 2013-14 season had never happened, the Colorado Avalanche would be exactly where we thought they would be. They are a team with a young, talented core, that is floating around in the playoff bubble, trying to find a way in.
In the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, the Avalanche finished dead last in the Western Conference, missing the playoffs for a third time in a row. For a rebuilding team, that was nothing too surprising, but it was reason enough for a leadership overhaul.
First, head coach Joe Sacco and most of his assistants had been relieved of their duties, making room for Avalanche legend Patrick Roy and his new assistants.