Laperriere, the Heart in Colorado
(Translated from radio-canada.ca)
Read the original text here
May 26, 2009 - The Avalanche still has no general manager and head coach Tony Granato is hanging by a thread.
Despite the uncertainty in Colorado, Ian Laperriere wishes to continue his career in this American Western State.
"I love Colorado and when you have a family, you can not just think of the hockey player," said Laperriere on the air of Sports Extra. "We had negotiated during the year and now we must agree on the terms."
Negotiations are at a standstill for a very logical reason, the absence of a general manager.
"It does not worry me too much," explains the forward who will become a free agent on July 1st. "If the new GM does not like me, I will move on quickly. And if he loves me, I can stay here."
In the event of a failure in the negotiations, the native of Quebec does not see the Montreal Candiens as a potential destination.
"I come from Rivière-des-Prairies and it is obvious that I would have liked to wear the uniform of the Canadiens. Five years ago, the Habs did not call me when I became a free agent. They did not call when I was 30 years old, so I don't see why they would at the age of 35 years."
In 74 games last year with the Avalanche, Laperriere piled up 19 points (7 goals, 12 assists) in addition to spending 163 minutes in the penalty box.
He pocketed 1.150 million last season.
Roy, a good candidate
On the scent of rumors sending Patrick Roy to Colorado, Laperriere would not say no to the arrival of the former goaltender of the Canadiens.
"I have the greatest respect for Roy, the hockey player," he says. "He is a winner; it is in him. He has been successful as a coach with the Remparts and I do not see why he would not make it in the NHL."
Laperriere, who follows the rumors on the internet from his home in Colorado, finds the situation painful for Tony Granato.
"I would not like to be in his shoes. Every day, he reads that he is fired when he is still our coach. If the Avalanche are looking for a coach, I have no idea why they're keeping Tony. Last year, you should not forget that he lost his two best players in Joe Sakic and Paul Stastny for a long period."