09/30/26 01:12:00
Printable Page
09/30 13:10 CDT Avalanche agree to terms with coach Jared Bednar on a 4-year
extension through 2030-31
Avalanche agree to terms with coach Jared Bednar on a 4-year extension through
2030-31
By PAT GRAHAM
AP Sports Writer
DENVER (AP) --- The Colorado Avalanche agreed to terms with Jared Bednar on a
four-year extension Wednesday that keeps the winningest coach in team history
on board through the 2030-31 season.
Bednar, who has coached the Avalanche to a 445--262--75 record during his
tenure, led the team to a Stanley Cup title in 2022 behind a nucleus that
included Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog.
"We love Bedsy. We've said that for a long time --- he's a great coach, great
human, the right coach for this group," Landeskog said Wednesday morning before
the team opened the season against the Los Angeles Kings. "We know he's as
hungry as we are, and that's a big part of it. Happy for him."
The team gave Bednar a vote of confidence in the offseason after being swept in
the Western Conference Final. Bednar said leading into training camp they were
in discussions to get an extension completed. It's the second big deal the
Avalanche completed over the summer as the team also locked up Makar, a
two-time Norris Trophy winner, to the richest deal in league history.
"We obviously have full trust in him," said Makar, who signed a signed a $163.2
million, eight-year extension that kicks in next season. "For us to have
stability like that as a team and to know the direction that we feel
comfortable in and confident that we can find success in is great."
Bednar was hired in August 2016 following the resignation of coach Patrick Roy.
The 54-year-old Bednar is currently the second-longest tenured coach in the
NHL, trailing only Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"Jared has done an outstanding job over the last decade, and there's no doubt
in my mind he's the best coach for this group," Joe Sakic, the Avalanche's
president of hockey operations/general manager, said in a statement. "He
commands the room and has complete confidence of the players. We're excited to
continue to have him in charge, and we believe that his presence maximizes the
team's potential while this core group is intact."
Bednar brings a sense of calm to the bench, which his players appreciate. The
team has been to the playoffs in every season but one under Bednar --- his
first, in 2016-17, when the team went 22-56-4. He's the 13th head coach (14th
occasion) in league history to take the same organization to the postseason in
at least nine straight seasons.
"I'm ecstatic," Bednar said. "Nice to be sticking around."
He had his concerns after his rookie NHL head coaching season.
"The most worried I've been is after year one, because it was so bad," Bednar
said. "I put a lot of thought into what I do, how I coach, the way we operate,
and I do the best job I possibly can. I'm at peace with that. I don't really
think about the term I have on my contract or don't have on my contract, it's
just going out and doing the best you can to help this team win."
His team was the Presidents' Trophy winner last year with a franchise-best 121
points and is expected to be another strong Cup contender this season.
"At the end of the day, we have to go out and perform and do the job,"
Landeskog said. "I think Bedsy is the right man for us behind the bench. He's
always done a good job for us."
___
See AP's full NHL coverage here
|
