Avalanche sign Jared Bednar to four-year extension through 2030-31
Colorado settles its coach's future on opening day, months after a stunning Western Conference Finals sweep by Vegas.
Jared Bednar has a new four-year contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche. The club announced the deal Wednesday, the same day Colorado opens its regular season by hosting the Los Angeles Kings.
Before the extension, Bednar was heading into 2026-27 with only one season left on his deal. The new deal runs through 2030-31.
Back in June, general manager Joe Sakic committed to bringing back Bednar and his staff. Some uncertainty lingered anyway. The Avalanche won the Presidents' Trophy and set a franchise record with 121 points in 2025-26, then were swept by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Finals.
Sakic left no room for doubt in his statement.
"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," Sakic said. "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."
In ten seasons under Bednar, the Avalanche have missed the playoffs just once, and they captured the Stanley Cup in 2021-22. Only Jon Cooper, hired by Tampa Bay in 2013, has held his current NHL head coaching job longer than Bednar.
"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, 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."
The Avalanche host the Kings on Wednesday night to begin the 2026-27 season.
