The Colorado Avalanche have agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension with coach Jared Bednar, the team announced Wednesday.
The move alleviates any concern about Bednar's future in Colorado. The winningest coach in franchise history had been set to be behind the bench for the 2026-27 season on the final year of his contract before the extension.
General manager Joe Sakic said in June that Bednar and his staff would return, but there was some uncertainty after the Presidents' Trophy-winning Avalanche were stunned in a Western Conference finals sweep by the Vegas Golden Knights.
"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 in a statement announcing the new deal. "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, who said leading into training camp that they were in discussions to get a deal completed, is now signed through the 2030-31 season.
Colorado has reached the playoffs in eight of Bednar's nine seasons as coach, winning the Stanley Cup in 2021-22 behind a nucleus that included Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog. He has a 445-262-75 record during his tenure.
The Avalanche, who set a franchise record with 121 points in 2025-26, open their regular season Wednesday by hosting the Los Angeles Kings.
Bednar is the second-longest tenured coach in the NHL behind only the Tampa Bay Lightning's Jon Cooper, who was hired in 2013.
"I'm extremely happy and grateful to continue leading this group," Bednar said in a statement. "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."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
