Since even before the Colorado Avalanche were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs, there have been rumblings regarding the status of head coach Jared Bednar: Will he be fired? Those discussions have made their way around to some Avs fans.
Honestly, it would be a very bold move for the Avs to do it. Bednar is one of the most respected coaches in the league and the second-longest tenured coach in the entire NHL, with Jon Cooper leading the way with the Lightning in that category. With their Western Conference Final opponent’s head coach, John Tortorella, coming to his defense
, it would make even less sense. Bednar has the support of virtually everyone in the league.
However, there is one particular case where it could make sense. That would be if the Avalanche are possibly shifting into a different sort of cultural change.
You really do have to give credit to the Golden Knights for their performance in the entire series. They were able to keep Avalanche stars in check most of the time. Nathan MacKinnon had two asssists in the entire series. He had 11 shots on goal through the four games.
Artturi Lehkonen went the entire series without a goal and the final two games of the series against the Wild without one. He had six shots on goal, including three in one game, with one each in the other three matchups of the series.
After the game, Bednar said that since the beginning, his team has given everything they’ve got. Sometimes, that just isn’t enough. You should always have “and more” at the end of that statement. Sometimes, you have to give 110%. There’s no question that the Golden Knights played well enough, especially Carter Hart. But, the Avalanche are a much better team than they showed they were on Tuesday night.
The accumulation of losses in the Stanley Cup playoffs is something that can linger in the minds of players and coaches. It has to be frustrating for both parties the more they fall short of the ultimate goal. Bednar even said “the closer you get, the more hope you have that you can accomplish it. When you don’t, it’s hard to deal with.”
Before the team’s series against the Minnesota Wild, a crazy statement was made about the Avs, at the hands of a senior writer who is a fan of the Wild. Michael Russo predicted a “culture shock” for the Avalanche once they got a taste of the Wild. That was dead wrong at the time. But maybe that “culture shock” comment isn’t all dead. Perhaps it was just a little bit early.
Decisions will have to be made by Avalanche aside from Jared Bednar status
Bednar and general manager Chris MacFarland will have some decisions to make this offseason. Brent Burns is now going to be hitting free agency as he was signed to just a one-year deal. Will he head somewhere else, or will he go into retirement short of a Stanley Cup? It’s been pointed out plenty of times that Burns has made some very questionable plays with the Avalanche and he has taken a lot of heat for it.
Nazem Kadri will be 36 during the upcoming season, while Brock Nelson will be 35, as will Josh Manson. While guys such as MacKinnon and Cale Makar are still in their prime, teams need to have some secondary scoring and production across their lineup. The Avalanche were often recognized as a team that had the best center depth in the NHL this season. Some even said they had the best third line in the league.
That just wasn’t enough against Vegas. If some of the team’s older guys decide to call it a career, or as previously mentioned, move on like Burns could, the Avalanche might be forced into having to change their ways.
Will that be with or without Bednar? My bet is that he won’t be going anywhere, but I suppose anything is possible. We’ll find out in time.
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