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Avalanche Coach Bednar's Jack Adams Hopes Fade in Final Stretch
Colorado's recent struggles against weaker opponents could cost Bednar a shot at the NHL's top coaching honor.
Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:21pm
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Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar has been considered a leading candidate for the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's top coach this season, but his team's recent inconsistent play against lesser opponents may have damaged his chances. The Avalanche have struggled at times, including an 8-6 loss to the Vancouver Canucks where the team's defensive lapses and goaltending issues were on full display. With a tough final stretch of games remaining, Bednar's hopes of winning the Jack Adams may have slipped away.
Why it matters
The Jack Adams Award is one of the NHL's top individual honors, recognizing the coach who has contributed the most to his team's success. Bednar guiding the Avalanche to another strong season despite key injuries would normally make him a frontrunner, but their recent stumbles against weaker teams could cost him the award.
The details
The Avalanche currently sit atop the Central Division and the entire NHL, continuing Bednar's streak of leading the team to the playoffs in each of his seven seasons as head coach. However, a recent 8-6 loss to the Canucks, where starting goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood struggled, has raised questions about the team's defensive play and Bednar's ability to have them prepared. The Avalanche were missing star defenseman Cale Makar for that game, but the expectation was for the depth players to step up, which they failed to do.
- The Avalanche's regular season finale is just two weeks away on April 16, 2026.
- On April 5, 2026, the Avalanche lost 8-6 to the Canucks, a game in which Bednar was highly critical of his team's performance.
The players
Jared Bednar
The head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, who has led the team to the playoffs in each of his seven seasons at the helm.
Scott Wedgewood
The Avalanche's backup goaltender who has outperformed the team's starter, Mackenzie Blackwood, this season.
Cale Makar
The Avalanche's star defenseman who suffered an upper-body injury and missed the loss to the Canucks.
What’s next
Colorado's final stretch of the regular season includes two games each against the Seattle Kraken and St. Louis Blues, as well as one game each against the Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, and Edmonton Oilers. Strong performances against these opponents could help Bednar re-enter the Jack Adams discussion, but the damage from the Canucks loss may be too much to overcome.
The takeaway
Jared Bednar's candidacy for the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's top coach has been hurt by his team's recent inconsistent play, particularly a lopsided loss to the Canucks where the Avalanche's defensive issues and goaltending problems were on full display. While Colorado remains atop the standings, Bednar's chances of winning the award may have slipped away due to these late-season stumbles against weaker opponents.
