Full Breakdown
Avalanche Retains Coach Jared Bednar After Playoff Sweep
6/13/2026, 12:54:27 AM
Season Summary
The Colorado Avalanche closed the regular season with a franchise-record 121 points (55-16-11), capturing the President’s Trophy. In the playoffs they swept the Los Angeles Kings, beat the Minnesota Wild in five games, then were swept by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final, a series in which injuries to Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar were highlighted.
Context and Recent Success
Colorado’s regular-season dominance followed a 2022 Stanley Cup victory under head coach Jared Bednar, who has been with the club since the 2016-17 season. Bednar’s tenure includes nine straight playoff appearances, four division titles and two Presidents’ Trophies, making him the franchise’s winningest coach.
Key Personnel
Joe Sakic, president of hockey operations and de facto general manager after Chris MacFarland’s move to Nashville, announced the coaching decision. Jared Bednar, entering the final year of his contract, will remain with his staff. Core players include Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Gabriel Landeskog, and supporting veterans. Owner Josh Kroenke, vice chairman of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, also voiced support.
Numbers at a Glance
- President’s Trophy: 121 points (franchise high)
- Regular-season record: 55-16-11
- Playoff record before Western Final: 8-1
- Bednar’s tenure: second-longest among NHL coaches, most Avalanche wins
- Makar’s recent output: 20 goals (third consecutive season)
Organization's Response
At the season-ending news conference Sakic said Bednar and his staff will return for 2026-27, citing player confidence and continuity. He added that contract talks are “down the line” and that the immediate focus is the draft and free-agency market. Kroenke stressed evaluating the whole season rather than the final week and praised the “core group” as “incredibly hungry.”
Speculation After the Sweep
The sweep prompted some fans and media to question whether the Avalanche would keep Bednar, pointing to the team’s difficulty adjusting to Vegas’s defensive system and the impact of injuries. Sakic framed the decision as a response to player endorsement and the organization’s long-term strategic goals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No plans to make any moves. We feel he's the best coach for our team,” — Joe Sakic, Avalanche GM
- “They respect him. They love playing for him, and that’s a big thing,” — Joe Sakic
- “He’s not just the coach. He’s the voice of the organization. The players really believe in him — and I’m going with the players.” — Joe Sakic
- “If you’re just going to evaluate the last week of the season, obviously it was incredibly disappointing on a lot of levels,” — Josh Kroenke
Future Outlook
The Avalanche will head into the 2026 NHL Draft aiming to add depth around their core. Free-agency negotiations, including a possible extension for Cale Makar, are slated for the summer. Bednar’s contract discussion is expected after the draft and free-agency period.
