Rumor: 4 names being rumored to take over for Patrick Roy in Colorado.

The news that National Hockey League legend Patrick Roy was vacating his position as head coach of the Colorado Avalanche caught many by surprise, and has left the Avalanche scrambling to find a head coach at an extremely awkward time of the year.

As a result the usual big names when it comes to such a high profile coaching hire are notably absent, but we do have some hints as to who some of the candidates for the job are thanks to a number of reports from various insiders.

First, Sportsnet insider John Shannon reports that both Washington Capitals assistant coach Lane Lambert as well as San Jose Sharks assistant coach Bob Boughner are both on the short list, with his colleague Elliotte Friedman adding his belief that American Hockey League head coach Jared Bednar could also be on that list.

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The last name to be mentioned in rumors is that of Los Angeles Kings assistant coach Davis Payne, who according to ESPN's Craig Custance could be an interesting option for the Avs as his window to negotiate with other teams is currently still open.

Any way you slice it, it's not going to be an easy move for general manager Joe Sakic.