The Colorado Avalanche are prey to the same pressures as any other NHL team.
In many ways, the NHL is a reactionary culture. Failure is met with judgement, criticism and is swiftly addressed with radical personnel change. This change comes in the form of a coach or general manager losing his job, a rash free agent signing, or occasionally, a franchise altering trade.
Either way, NHL franchises and fan bases, especially those with a history and tradition of competitive teams, do not tolerate losing for long. They expect their team’s front office to effect drastic change and bring immediate results.