Colorado Avalanche owner Stan Kroenke has weighed in on the team’s sluggish start to the season, labeling fan expectations as “unrealistic.” Kroenke’s comments come as the Avalanche struggle to find consistency, sitting 12th in the Western Conference with a 10-8-2 record.
“We understand the passion and enthusiasm of our fan base, but some of the expectations are simply unrealistic,” Kroenke said in an exclusive interview. “We’re not going to win the Stanley Cup every year, nor can we dictate the outcome of every game.”
Kroenke’s statements have sparked debate among Avalanche fans, many of whom point to the team’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship and subsequent offseason moves as reasons for heightened expectations.
The Avalanche’s early season struggles have been marked by inconsistent play, particularly on defense. The team has allowed 3.2 goals per game, 22nd in the NHL. Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, acquired in the offseason, has shouldered much of the blame, posting a 3.23 GAA and .892 SV%.
“We’ve faced injuries, and our young players are still developing,” Kroenke explained. “We’re not panicking. We’re focused on making adjustments and improving our game.”
Avalanche fans have taken to social media to express their frustration and disappointment. Many feel Kroenke’s comments are out of touch with the team’s loyal supporter base.
“Unrealistic expectations? We’ve been to the playoffs six straight years and won the Cup in 2022,” said longtime fan, Mike Rodriguez. “We expect competitiveness, not mediocrity.”
Others have defended Kroenke, citing the team’s injury woes and the challenges of repeating as champions. “I think Stan’s right,” said fan Emily Chen. “We can’t expect them to win it all every year. Injuries happen, and teams go through ups and downs.”
Despite the early season struggles, Kroenke reaffirmed his commitment to building a winning organization.
“We’re dedicated to putting a competitive team on the ice,” Kroenke emphasized. “We’ve invested in top talent, and our farm system is strong. We’re not satisfied with our current performance, but we’re working to improve.”
Kroenke pointed to the team’s recent success, including the 2022 Stanley Cup championship and four division titles since 2014. “We’ve built a winning culture, and we’re not going to let a slow start define our season,” Kroenke said.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar echoed Kroenke’s sentiments, emphasizing the team’s focus on improvement. “We’re not worried about external expectations,” Bednar said. “We’re focused on our game, and we’re working to get better every day.”
Bednar acknowledged the team’s defensive struggles but remains optimistic about the Avalanche’s potential. “We’ve got the talent and depth to compete with anyone,” Bednar said. “We just need to put it all together.”
Avalanche captain Nathan MacKinnon addressed Kroenke’s comments, urging fans to remain patient.
“We appreciate the support, but we need to take pressure off ourselves,” MacKinnon said. “We’re working hard to turn things around.”
MacKinnon’s teammate, Mikko Rantanen, echoed the captain’s sentiments. “We’re not giving up,” Rantanen said. “We’re going to keep pushing, and we’ll get back to our winning ways.”
As the Avalanche continue their quest for consistency, Kroenke’s comments serve as a reminder that success is not guaranteed.
The team faces a crucial stretch of games against Western Conference opponents, including the Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild. “We’re focused on the present,” Kroenke said. “We’ll take it one game at a time and work towards our goal of making the playoffs.”
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