The Colorado Avalanche confirmed Wednesday that head coach Jared Bednar has agreed to a four‑year extension that will keep him behind the bench through the 2030‑31 season. The deal follows a year in which the Avalanche captured the Presidents’ Trophy with a franchise‑best 121 points and remain a top contender for the Stanley Cup.
Bednar’s record and legacy
Since taking over in August 2016, Bednar has compiled a 445‑262‑75 record, the best win‑total in franchise history. He guided Colorado to a Stanley Cup championship in 2022, building on a core that includes defenseman Cale Makar, forward Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog. Under Bednar, the Avalanche have reached the playoffs in every season but his first, 2016‑17, when the team posted a 22‑56‑4 record.
Bednar is now the second‑longest‑tenured coach in the NHL, trailing only Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is also the 13th head coach in league history to lead the same organization to the postseason for at least nine straight seasons.
Player and management support
Team leaders voiced strong support for the extension. Landeskog said, “We love Bedsy. He’s a great coach, great human, the right coach for this group. We know he’s as hungry as we are, and that’s a big part of it.” Defenseman Cale Makar, who recently signed an eight‑year, $163.2 million extension, added, “We have full trust in him. Stability like that is great for the team.”
General manager and president of hockey operations Joe Sakic praised Bednar, stating, “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. He commands the room and has the complete confidence of the players. We’re excited to continue to have him in charge while this core group is intact.”
Looking ahead
With the core roster locked in place and the coaching staff secured, the Avalanche are positioned to remain a dominant force in the Western Conference. The team’s recent Presidents’ Trophy win and consistent playoff appearances underscore a culture of excellence that Bednar has helped cultivate.
“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.” Bednar echoed the sentiment, noting, “I’m ecstatic. Nice to be sticking around.”
The extension signals the organization’s commitment to continuity and stability, key ingredients for sustained success in the highly competitive NHL landscape.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
