Inside the Avalanche Locker Room: Frustration mounting

DALLAS – Are we having fun yet?

I think it was two and a half weeks ago that I stood in the dressing room of the Colorado Avalanche in Tampa, after they had just smoked the vaunted Lightning in their barn. Tyson Jost was off in one corner being interviewed about his hat trick and Pavel Francouz was off in another, regaling over his second victory in as many starts.

The Avs were unbeaten in regulation and things were just divine. Smiles everywhere. Confidence, even some swagger. The Avs of 2019-20 meant had some damn business to do, and nothing was getting in the way.

Now, cut to tonight: Long stares into the carpet. Players angrily ripping off their tape. Nobody talking to each other. The only players talking were those asked questions from intruders like me.

Good times.

Look, we all know why things started to go bad. The Avs lost two all-star, first-line forwards. That’s a BIG loss. I guess what has everyone so aggravated since is the way the Avs are losing. Pathetic starts. Try-hard comebacks.

That’s not the hockey way for real hockey guys. Guys like Erik Johnson, who unloaded after the game, which you can hear here, in some uncut audio:

Next up, Nazem Kadri, who didn’t have a very good game at all. I asked him about a penalty he took that wiped out a power play. Points to Kadri, at least, for facing the music.

Lastly, Coach Bednar:

So look, things are bad right now and this is definitely a turning point. Somebody not only has to lead on the ice, but OFF THE ICE. I’m seeing too many guys just kind of hang their head and mumble things. I don’t know what guys are saying to each other behind the scenes, privately, but whatever they’re saying isn’t sinking in right now. Nathan MacKinnon has been on this team for six years now – should he stand up and say something, instead of sitting by himself all the time, talking to nobody?

Is it time for Ian Cole to take more of a leadership role and get in some guys’ ear? Should Erik Johnson stand up and say more?

I don’t know. All I know is, things aren’t working right now.  Somebody needs to do something about it.