- The Maple Leafs and Oilers are reportedly “very curious” about Jared Bednar after the Avalanche got swept by Vegas
- Darren Dreger calls firing talk “a bit extreme” given Bednar’s resume and his Presidents’ Trophy season
- Read below for the latest on the Avalanche coaching speculation, the postgame video, and what comes next
The Avalanche just got run out of the Western Conference Final by Vegas, and Jared Bednar’s name is now floating around two of the biggest open jobs in the league.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported on Morning Cuppa Hockey that the Maple Leafs and Oilers are “very curious” to see what happens with Bednar this summer:
Both clubs are hunting for a new bench boss. Toronto fired Craig Berube earlier this month after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and is already deep into interviews. Edmonton parted ways with Kris Knoblauch following a first-round exit.
Bednar is still under contract with Colorado through next season. That doesn’t make him untouchable, but it does make any move complicated.
Not everyone thinks the speculation has legs. NHL insider Darren Dreger pushed back on TSN OverDrive, saying firing chatter feels “a bit extreme” when stacked against Bednar’s body of work.
Dreger framed the Avalanche question this way:
“I do think that, given that the Avs are obviously a top Stanley Cup contender, they just got swept by a machine in the Vegas Golden Knights, those sort of internal conversations will likely take place. There was just a hesitation around Colorado, which felt unfair at the point when you look at the season that they had.”
The Avs were a Presidents’ Trophy team this year. They went 55-16-11 in the regular season and looked the part of a contender until Vegas turned the lights out in four straight.
There was no hiding for the head coach after Game 4. Catch his full media availability:
Colorado is taking extra time before its season-ending press conference, which is expected early next week. Until that podium opens up, the questions about Bednar, GM Chris MacFarland, and what went sideways against Vegas are going to keep stacking up.
If the Avs do decide to move on, the Oilers and Leafs are already watching.
