Avalanche’s Highs and Lows: A Look Back at 2005-2010

Colorado Avalanche hockey over the past thirty years has been a rollercoaster ride, showcasing both exhilarating highs and disheartening lows. This ongoing off-season series delves into the most memorable moments from each season, highlighting the best alongside the worst.

In the wake of a lengthy ten-month standoff, the NHL and NHL Players Association reached a new collective bargaining agreement, paving the way for all thirty teams to return to play that fall. The introduction of a hard salary cap at $39 million forced Avalanche General Manager Pierre Lacroix into a series of tough decisions. The departure of beloved players Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote, who signed with the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets respectively, marked a significant shift for the franchise.

To fill the gaps left by Forsberg and Foote, Lacroix signed center Pierre Turgeon from the Dallas Stars and defenseman Patrice Brisebois from the Montréal Canadiens to two-year contracts on August 3. The Avalanche opened their season in Edmonton on October 5, suffering a narrow 4-3 defeat. However, just three nights later, the late Marek Svatoš made a memorable debut against the Dallas Stars, scoring the go-ahead goal that secured the Avalanche’s first win of the season. This seventh-round pick would go on to have a standout rookie season, tallying 32 goals and 18 assists before a shoulder injury cut his campaign short in March 2006.

The juxtaposition of losing Forsberg and Foote against the backdrop of Svatoš’s rise and the team’s eventual return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs encapsulates the drama of that year.

However, not all signings elicited excitement. The announcement of Brad May joining the Avalanche drew ire from fans, particularly due to his notorious past regarding Steve Moore. Lacroix defended the move, stating, “Brad May is a good skater who brings us additional grit, leadership and experience.” Yet, the justification fell flat against the complex emotions surrounding the situation. Fans expressed their displeasure during May’s first appearance at the Burgundy and White Game, showering him with boos every time he touched the puck. May, sustaining a groin injury during the game, opted to sidestep the controversy, saying, “I’m not even interested in talking about it, really.”

Head coach Joel Quenneville also defended May, asserting that the fans would come to appreciate his style of play. Ultimately, May’s time with the Avalanche was brief—playing 64 regular season games and contributing only nine points before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks, where he would go on to win the Stanley Cup.

As the Avalanche entered a new phase, making the playoffs became an expectation rather than a goal. However, after a loss to Anaheim on February 25, the Avalanche found themselves on the outside looking in, putting their streak of eleven consecutive playoff appearances in jeopardy. A shift was needed, and on February 27, goaltender Peter Budaj stepped up, winning ten of his next twelve starts. His stellar performance rekindled playoff hopes, but a loss to Vancouver on March 27 led to uncertainty about whether Budaj could carry the team to the postseason. Despite his impressive 14-2-2 run, the Avalanche ultimately missed the playoffs for the first time since their relocation from Quebec.

During this period, trades also stirred controversy. Lacroix’s decision to trade Chris Drury and Stéphane Yelle to the Calgary Flames for Dean McAmmond, Jeff Shantz, and defenseman Derek Morris was met with skepticism, as Morris played only two seasons with the Avs before being traded. His successor, François Giguère, made a similar misstep by trading Alex Tanguay to Calgary for Jordan Leopold and draft picks. While Leopold struggled with injuries during his tenure, Tanguay enjoyed a breakout season with the Flames, further highlighting the missed opportunities for the Avalanche.

José Théodore’s time with the Avalanche was filled with ups and downs, but one night against the St. Louis Blues showcased the excitement of the game. The Avalanche exploded for a 9-5 victory, marking their 1000th win as a franchise and featuring standout performances from Milan Hejduk and Paul Stastny. Hejduk recorded a career-best six points, while the Avalanche collectively found the net ten times, despite Théodore allowing five goals.

The rivalry with the Red Wings took a bizarre turn during a playoff game when an octopus was thrown onto the ice during the national anthem. Enforcer Cody McLeod’s attempt to use the incident as motivation backfired when the Red Wings scored four unanswered goals, leading to a decisive 5-1 loss for the Avalanche. The series culminated in a sweep, marking a painful exit from the playoffs at the hands of their fiercest rival.

As the Avalanche navigated through the highs and lows of this era, the franchise continued to build its identity amidst the trials and triumphs of the NHL landscape.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.