Colorado Avalanche

Maple Leafs, Oilers Keeping a Close Eye on the Jared Bednar Situation

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers are very interested in what happens to Jared Bednar in Colorado.

by
Jackson Weber
May 28, 2026

Jared Bednar is the second-longest-tenured active head coach in the NHL behind only Jon Cooper, but after being swept in the Western Conference Finals by the Vegas Golden Knights, real questions have been raised about whether that tenure could be coming to an end.

Making it to Round 3 would be seen as a success by most, but for a Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche team that’s Stanley Cup or bust, change might be necessary. If they do decide that part of the change will involve moving on from Bednar, insider David Pagnotta says the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers would be eager to speak with him for their vacant coaching openings.

Pagnotta said:

“What I do believe is that the Leafs and Oilers are very curious to what happens with Bednar, who has a year left on his contract. And if they do make that shift, I think both Edmonton and Toronto — and most likely LA — will be running to the opportunity to speak to Jared Bednar,”

The 54-year-old Bednar has one year remaining on the three-year contract extension he signed with the Avalanche back in 2023. He’s gone 445-262-75 in the regular season and 60-41 in the postseason, including a Stanley Cup championship in 2021-22, across 10 seasons behind the bench in Colorado.

Head coach Jared Bednar likes his Colorado Avalanche roster — Jared Bednar Colorado Avalanche

Injuries to Cale Makar and then Nathan MacKinnon played a huge role in the Avalanche’s ultimate demise, but after 10 years with the same coach, it is fair to wonder whether a new voice is needed, especially in today’s landscape.

There has been speculation about David Carle moving from the University of Denver to Colorado to replace Bednar, which would then provide Toronto and Edmonton a tremendous new candidate who would surely jump straight to the top of their coaching wishlists.

A lot of balls are in the air right now, affecting multiple marquee franchises, and we should start to get some clarity sooner rather than later as the offseason kicks into full swing.

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