On Patrick Roy and the Colorado Avalanche …
NHL.com: Patrick Roy resigned as the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche today.
“I have thought long and hard over the course of the summer about how I might improve this team to give it the depth it needs to bring it to a higher level,” Roy said in a statement. “To achieve this, the vision of the coach and VP-hockey operations needs to be perfectly aligned with that of the organization. He must also have a say in the decisions that impact the team’s performance. These conditions are not currently met.
“Though it saddens me, I have put much thought about this decision in recent weeks and have come to be fully comfortable with it.”
Roy coached the Avalanche to a 130-92-24 record in three seasons.
On James Wisniewski …
Joe Smith: Defenseman James Wisniewski signed a PTO with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
On Reid Boucher …
Cap Friendly: Reid Boucher signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New Jersey Devils – $715,000 in the NHL and $70,000 in the AHL.
On Brian Ferlin …
Cap Friendly: Brian Ferlin signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins – $725,000 in the NHL and $80,000 in the AHL.
On Nick Spaling …
Cap Friendly: After spending last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks, Nick Spaling signed with Geneve-Servette HC in the Swiss league.
On the St. Louis Blues …
Andy Strickland: The Blues will be a young team next year, but they still have lots of experience. It’s possible that they don’t start the season with any rookies.
On the Chicago Blackhawks …
Scott Powers of The Athletic: Potential defensive pairings for the Blackhawks according the assistant coach Mike Kitchen could be Duncan Keith – Niklas Hjalmarsson, Brian Campbell – Brent Seabrook and Michal Kempny – Trevor van Riemsdyk. Michal Rozsival will also be back with the Blackhawks and likely their seventh defenseman.