Dear Santa,
I know I have not been the best Avalanche blogger of late, but can you really blame me? The Avs have been so bad, it is hard to watch them, let alone write about them. I mean, we finally ended our six game losing streak last week defeating the Bruins 4-2, and then lost the next game 10-1 to Montreal. 10-1. Yes, 10-1. Granted we did come back and win against Toronto, with Varly making 51 saves. However, we still allowed 52 shots, not to mention the 22 blocked ones. It is no surprise we are last in the league.
The Avs are in desperate need of change. Christmas is a time for miracles, and if there is any hope for the Avs this season, we are going to need some serious miracles. I don’t think one miracle will suffice at this point. Without any other idea of how to fix this mess, I am turning to you, Santa.
What I really would like for Christmas is an entire new Avalanche team. Except for Landy, he can stay. I realize this might be a lofty request, but we have essentially had the same team for years now, and they still have not continued to develop as a team. Between Duchene, Iggy, MacKinnon, Landeskog, Barrie and Johnson (out 6-8 weeks with a broken leg), the team has the talent, but something is not clicking.
Now, if you find it a bit too challenging to get an entire new NHL team by December 25th (I understand it is short notice), I have come up with a few other ideas. I would like Joe Sakic to take a stronger stance on the team. Sakic is a nice guy, almost to a fault. Pierre Lacroix was ruthless, but he built championship teams. I can only imagine the politics that go through a Kroenke team, but I want Sakic to make the tough decisions that need to be made to carry the team forward. At this point, I don’t care who goes, but change must happen.
At the very least, I would like the Avalanche to play like the strong team that they can be. If we are going to lose, I want to be able to see the team carry themselves with a sense of urgency, not the stand-around, putz-around and jerk-around team that they have been. Play with the integrity that comes along with being a professional athlete. There will be bad seasons, but that is not an excuse to play losers.
If you can still not fulfill any of those requests, I will accept a navy Emmanuel Sanders jersey.
Thank you for your time, and Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
Sam
P.S. It is also my birthday on Thursday, if that carries any extra weight.