In the history of the NHL, there have been many teams that have hoisted the Stanley Cup above their head following a long battle for the NHL’s ultimate prize. The Colorado Avalanche have done it three times. They are in a good position to do so a fourth time in 2026.
As you would remember, they last one the Stanley Cup in 2021-22 after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before then, they won it in 2000-01 and 1995-96. They have also won 12 division championships, and could lock up a 13th this season. Colorado was close to doing so on Saturday, but fell to the Winnipeg Jets at home, delaying that possibility.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar has been a tremendous addition to the team when he was hired in 2016, taking over for a team which saw its Hall of Fame goaltender-turned-head coach resign. Roy resigned after three seasons in the Avalanche job, where he finished first, seventh, and sixth, respectively.
The first draft pick in the new era/regime was Cale Makar, taken fourth overall in 2017. That season which earned the Avs the fourth pick in the lottery, they went 22-56-0-4. It was a very messy time for them. It was also shortly after Peyton Manning retired from the NFL and the Denver Broncos, which added some more frustration to the city of Denver.
Now, however, both teams are in a great spot. The Avalanche are the best team in the NHL, and are expected to be Stanley Cup favourites. They have fallen short in each of the last four seasons. Falling short again would be tragic to say the least. Winning again is not only important for guys such as Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar—but also coach Bednar. It would come at the best possible time.
Why, exactly? Well, Bednar is going to be entering the final year of his current contract. I think that Avalanche ownership would be open to enter negotiations with Bednar before the 2026-27 season gets underway if he leads his team to a Stanley Cup win.
I have seen talk from people about whether his job could be on the line if he doesn’t win again. While I do not think that’s going to happen, especially after what his team has gone through the past two years, extending him would eliminate that doubt. Him winning this season would eliminate that doubt.
As general manager Chris MacFarland stated in the past, the Avalanche have full trust and support of Bednar. He has taken this team far in the past, and MacFarland also went out this trade deadline to help the coach out. Colorado’s power play has been one of the best since that time, after they added Nazem Kadri into the mix.
While I still don’t think the Avalanche have any excuses to fall short of the championship, it’s possible they do. Of course it is. There’s only one team who enters the offseason truly happy—the Stanley Cup winner.
The Avalanche are the oldest team in the league in terms of average age (30.26). While it’s not necessarily a true science, having more veteran players—guys who have been through a lot in the league—can turn into something magical.
Bednar isn’t in danger of losing his job, but winning a second Stanley Cup right before the year in which his contract is set to expire could help him earn a bigger payday than if he falls short again. In some people’s eyes, the season will be a failure if they don’t win this year.