After telling everyone not to worry about Cale Makar or Jared Bednar, Joe Sakic has now seen both deals get done, with Bednar returning for four more years behind the Avalanche bench.
Joe Sakic wasn’t worried about Jared Bednar’s contract situation.
He wasn’t too worried about Cale Makar’s, either.
And, well, Sakic seems to know what he’s doing.
Just as Colorado did with Makar, the Avalanche got Bednar’s new deal done. The team announced Wednesday that it has agreed to a four-year contract extension with its longtime head coach, keeping him behind the bench through the 2030-31 season.
Four years is basically a presidential term — except Bednar didn't have to campaign for it.
“He commands the room and has complete confidence of the players,” Sakic said. “We’re excited to continue to have him in charge.”
There’s plenty of evidence behind that confidence.
The 54-year-old Bednar is entering his 11th season in Colorado and already owns the most wins in Avalanche/Nordiques franchise history. He has gone 445-262-75 in 782 regular-season games and has taken Colorado to the playoffs in nine of his 10 seasons.
That includes the 2021-22 championship run, when the Avalanche went 16-4 in the playoffs and Bednar became the only head coach to win championships in the NHL, AHL and ECHL.
But his case for staying isn’t based only on what happened four years ago.
Colorado just finished one of the best regular seasons in franchise history. The Avalanche went 55-16-11, set a franchise record with 121 points and won the Presidents’ Trophy. They led the NHL in wins and regulation victories and spent 143 consecutive days alone atop the standings.
Bednar also reached 400 career wins last season and coached his 100th playoff game in May. His 60 postseason wins are the most in franchise history.
Now he has four more years to chase No. 61 — and, presumably, another Stanley Cup.
“I’m extremely happy and grateful to continue leading this group,” Bednar said. “My family and I have loved being a part of this organization from the beginning.”
Sakic wasn’t worried about Makar.
He wasn’t worried about Bednar, either.
Both are staying in Colorado.
