Avs are setting the standard for what other Denver sports team should be
Nov 23, 2022, 9:53 AM | Updated: 9:56 am
As we get set to celebrate Thanksgiving I would like to send out special thanks to the Colorado Avalanche. On a Denver sports scene that is littered with poor play, poor coaching, poor ownership and poor culture, the defending Stanley Cup champs stand as a beacon on the hill.
The Avs just returned from a three game road trip against three teams (Carolina, Washington and Dallas) who looked at the Avs’ arrival as measuring stick games. Three teams with championship aspirations of their own and playing and beating the Avs would justify those dreams.
As the great John Elway once asked: “How’d that work out?” Not well. The Avs won all three games.
What makes the Avs’ sweep even more impressive is they’re banged up and they’re still figuring out how to replace some key guys from last year’s team who are no longer here. That doesn’t matter to the team’s best players. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen have been unbelievable.
These guys don’t care if they had a short offseason after winning the Cup. They could easily sit back and coast and wait for the injured guys to return. They could easily take the long view of a long season and just gear up for the playoffs starting next March.
Instead the “Big Three” have carried this team. They have a standard of excellence and darn it, they aren’t going to compromise. These guys are pros pros. This is what a winning culture looks like. This is what the Broncos, Nuggets and Rockies should study day in and day out.
So on this Thanksgiving Day, as you gather with family and friends to celebrate, please take a moment as a Colorado sports fan to be thankful for the Avalanche and everything they stand for.
Let’s eat.
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