Evan’s Daily: Bednar Extended, Fans Despise NHL-Fanatics Deal

The NHL announced a new deal with Fanatics to become their on-ice uniform outfitter starting in 2024, and fans are not happy. Very few things can unite NHL fans, but this seems to have done the trick.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche extended head coach Jared Bednar through the 2026-27 season. And he’ll be getting paid pretty handsomely during that time.

All that and more in this Wednesday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

Jared Bednar earned a nice three year extension from the Avalanche for his work behind the bench. Five straight playoff appearances, two consecutive division titles, and a Stanley Cup championship will usually earn you a nice extension. Read more about it here.

And apparently, he’ll be making a good chunk of change.

Hearing Jared Bednar’s extension will pay him just shy of $5 mil per season when the extension kicks in with Colorado.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 21, 2023

On the ice, the Avalanche were hit with yet another injury. Evan Rodrigues, who left the game on Monday night, is now in concussion protocol and will miss at least a week.

Avalanche Turning Point: Fourth Line Brings the Energy (+)

Around the NHL

The NHL announced a new agreement with Fanatics to become their on-ice uniform outfitter.

Naturally, fans are not happy. I’ve never been one to really care about jerseys, but it appears the NHL chose a partner who doesn’t exactly have the best track record. It’s kind of depressing if Fanatics was the best the NHL could do.

Here are some more reactions to the news.

National Hockey Now

PHN: With the Penguins in town, let’s take a look at what the Avalanche might be dealing with on Wednesday night.

WHN: The Capitals somehow managed to lose to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night. Not quite sure how that happened. Either way, Alex Ovechkin scored another goal, giving him 40 on the season. He becomes the first player in NHL history to have 13 different 40 goal seasons. That’s a crazy stat.