Full Breakdown
Avalanche Secures Jared Bednar with Four-Year Extension
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Colorado Avalanche announced on Wednesday that head coach Jared Bednar has agreed to a four-year contract extension that keeps him behind the bench through the 2030-31 season. The decision was made hours before the Avalanche opened the 2026-27 regular season against the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena. The extension eliminates any “lame-duck” scenario for the franchise’s longest-tenured coach.
Background & Context
Bednar was hired in August 2016 after the sudden resignation of Patrick Roy. In his first season (2016-17) the Avalanche posted a 22-56-4 record, the only year under his tenure that the team missed the playoffs. Since then, the club has qualified for the postseason in nine consecutive seasons, captured the Stanley Cup in 2022, and won the Presidents’ Trophy twice, most recently in the 2025-26 campaign when the team set a franchise-record 121 points. Bednar is the second-longest-tenured active NHL coach, trailing only Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning (who was hired on March 25, 2013).
Data & Statistics
- Regular-season record: 445-262-75 in 782 games (.617 points percentage).
- Postseason record: 60-40-1 in 101 games (.594 winning percentage), the sixth-best among coaches with at least 50 playoff games.
- Nine straight playoff appearances, the 13th NHL coach to achieve that streak.
- 2025-26 season: 55-16-11 record, franchise-best 121 points, 55 wins (second-most in franchise history), and a league-leading 48 regulation victories.
- Bednar reached his 400th career win on Nov. 9, 2025 and his 100th playoff game on May 24, 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
Avalanche president of hockey operations and general manager Joe Sakic said the organization “has full trust” in Bednar and praised his ability to “command the room” and maintain player confidence. Defenseman Cale Makar highlighted the stability the extension provides, stating the team “has full trust in him.” Bednar also acknowledged past concerns, recalling that his “most worried” moment came after his first, difficult season.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.” — Additionally
- “I’m extremely happy and grateful to continue leading this group,” — Western Conference Final. Bednar, head coach
- “We love Bedsy. We've said that for a long time — he’s a great coach, great human, the right coach for this group,” — Gabriel Landeskog, mackinnon and captain
- “We obviously have full trust in him,” — Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog
- “The most worried I’ve been is after year one, because it was so bad,” — Western Conference Final. Bednar, head coach
- “I look forward to working hard each day this season,” — Western Conference Final. Bednar, head coach
What’s Next
The Avalanche will begin the 2026-27 season on the road against the Los Angeles Kings. With the core roster—including Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Gabriel Landeskog—largely intact and Bednar secured through 2031, the organization’s stated objective is to translate regular-season dominance into another Stanley Cup championship.
