The Colorado Avalanche got an 800-pound gorilla off their backs by signing Cale Makar to the NHL’s most lucrative contract.
That’s all well and fine. But it’s not the end of the major decisions.
Even as the dust has yet to fully settle, there’s one more big move to make: Re-sign Jared Bednar.
The winningest coach in franchise history will be entering the final year of his current contract. And while Bednar’s seat seems pretty much ice-cold, there could be some questions regarding what the future holds for the veteran coach.
Last week, Sakic reassured the media following the Avalanche alumni game. The Denver Post quoted Sakic’s comments as guaranteeing that a deal will happen soon enough.
"Everything's great. Not worried about that. There's been coaches, been players that have entered the last year of their deals before, and there's going to be in the future. Not really concerned about that, and I don't think Jared is either.”
So, if there’s nothing to worry about, then it might seem like a matter of time before Bednar and the Avalanche hammer something out. While the uncertainty isn’t nearly as palpable as it was with Makar, fans have the right to be just a little antsy about the situation.
Extending Bednar is a no-brainer for Avalanche
If there’s one decision that seems like a slam dunk for Colorado, it’s extending Jared Bednar.
Yes, there has been some scrutiny regarding the job he’s done since winning the Cup in 2022. Unfortunately, there have been some extenuating circumstances that have affected the Avalanche’s path to another title.
Last season was arguably the club’s best chance at a title. However, things didn’t quite work out as expected. One of the storylines I’ve posited over the summer has been the compressed nature of the schedule over the last two years.
This season, 84 games notwithstanding, the Avalanche have a much less compressed schedule. That means less wear and tear on everyone on the team, and especially Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. So, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about what the 2026-27 season holds for Colorado.
As long as the Avalanche do their part to secure Bednar for the foreseeable future, it doesn’t seem like there will be all that much uncertainty moving forward. Beyond the usual bottom-six roster battles in training camp, Colorado’s lineup looks set.
And Bednar will be a key piece in ensuring that the entire machinery meshes well once it’s moving.
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