The Colorado Avalanche and longtime coach Jared Bednar have agreed on a four-year contract extension, the team announced on Wednesday, Sept. 30, and avoided an awkward lame-duck situation ahead of the start to its 2026-27 NHL season.
Bednar was entering the final year of his deal but is now signed through the 2030-31 campaign. He led the Avalanche to a franchise-record 121 points and the Presidents’ Trophy last season before a Stanley Cup playoff run to the Western Conference Finals, where Colorado was swept by the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
Bednar, 54, just completed his 10th season as coach of the franchise, where he won the Stanley Cup title in 2022.
“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," Avalanche President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Joe Sakic said in a statement. “He commands the room and has complete confidence of the players. We’re excited to continue to have him in charge, and we believe that his presence maximizes the team’s potential while this core group is intact.”
Bednar is the winningest coach in franchise history with a career record of 445-262-75 and the second-longest tenured coach in the NHL. Terms of his new contract were not disclosed.
The Avalanche have reached the playoffs in all but one season during his decade with the franchise. They open the 2026-27 season against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday.
“I’m extremely happy and grateful to continue leading this group,” said Bednar. “My family and I have loved being a part of this organization from the beginning, and I can’t thank the Kroenke family and Joe Sakic enough for their support. I look forward to working hard each day this season and beyond to accomplish our goal of winning another Stanley Cup.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Avalanche give coach Jared Bednar new contract, avoid lame-duck season
