Aarif Deen
Question from Jp52
Is retaining Jared Bednar key for Cale Makar deciding to sign a long-term deal? Would Makar not sign if the Colorado Avalanche do indeed make a coaching change?
Question from ourpetsheadsarefallingoff
Any insight as to how Cale Makar took the “call-out” from Jared Bednar? Is it possible that’s the equivalent of Pete DeBoer calling out Jake Oettinger and getting the axe? If Cale is mad, can they take any chances keeping Bedsy around?
Aarif’s Response
I put both of these questions together because they are on hilariously opposite ends of the discussion.
I wrote about this when it happened, but I don’t believe, even for a moment, that Bednar was calling out Makar or putting the pressure on him to play. I think he was simply saying Makar will tell us when he can play because Makar is the only person who knows if he can play through the injury and be a positive factor or if he’s going to play through it and hurt the team. That, to me, is all it was. It’s nothing like DeBoer and Oettinger.
I don’t believe for a moment that Makar and Bednar have a bad relationship, nor do I think that Makar is pressuring the front office to fire the head coach. Alternatively, I also know Makar is smart enough to understand that if a coaching change happens at some point (even if it’s not this summer), then he’ll understand that the front office is doing what’s best for the organization.
In short, I don’t believe Bednar’s staying or leaving has any impact on Makar’s next contract. I also don’t think this is even something worth discussing but I don’t imagine the Avalanche are going to start next season without Makar having already signed an extension.
Question from StillOptimistic
If you had a choice for a new assistant coach to work the power play, who would you pick and why?
Aarif’s Response
I don’t have an actual list of candidates right this moment because I think it’ll take a few weeks to see which names shake loose from other leagues (like the AHL) to get a better understanding of who’s available. But what I will say is, it would be wise for the Avalanche to find someone with positive coaching NHL experience to be their assistant. Someone who, if the team moves on from Bednar at some point, can be in the conversation to take over, or at least be an interim head coach if they need to make a change midseason.
Someone with pedigree and trust to run the team in a situation like that. Basically, someone to put some pressure on Bednar while also being an additional voice and a fresh gameplan. I’ve never considered Dave Hakstol to be that type of guy and I still don’t.
The best comparables of what I’m thinking the Avalanche need is similar to what the Edmonton Oilers had with Glen Gulutzan as an assistant before this season, or the Anaheim Ducks with Jay Woodcroft now.
Alternatively, the dream scenario for a true assistant coach is Alex Tanguay. He runs the power play in Detroit and does an exceptional job there. But unless Todd McLellan decides to let him go (which I doubt), then he won’t be available for a lateral move.