Aarif Deen
The Colorado Avalanche are taking a few extra days before addressing the media, likely to sort through key offseason decisions. The team will hold its season-ending press conference early next week.
The delayed timing is notable because these press conferences are typically scheduled quickly after elimination. Last year, Joe Sakic and Chris MacFarland met with the media three days after the Game 7 loss in Dallas. This year’s availability will take a little longer.
According to Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Avalanche also conducted their exit interviews on Friday.
The extra time appears to signal that the organization is working through several major offseason questions, which could include the future of head coach Jared Bednar and rumored outside interest in general manager Chris MacFarland.
The biggest priority for the Avalanche right now is Bednar’s future behind the bench. After being swept by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final, many are wondering whether Colorado should consider a coaching change.
The Avalanche entered the postseason with Stanley Cup expectations once again, making the four-game sweep particularly difficult to ignore. Colorado struggled to generate consistent offense throughout the series and failed to find answers as Vegas controlled play for long stretches. Injuries, however, were also a key factor in the loss.
Still, any potential decision involving Bednar would be complicated.
Bednar has been with the organization for a decade and is the second-longest tenured active NHL coach behind Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper. Outside of the 2022 Stanley Cup run, the Avalanche’s eight playoff wins this year marked the most postseason victories of Bednar’s tenure.
Despite the disappointing finish, Bednar remains one of the league’s most respected coaches and would likely become one of the top names on the market if Colorado moved on. It’s difficult to imagine he would remain unemployed for long.
That reality means the Avalanche likely cannot make a decision of this magnitude without already having a clear plan for what comes next. Bednar is widely viewed as one of the NHL’s top coaches, and replacing him would carry significant risk for a team still firmly in its championship window, albeit with an aging group around the core.
Chris MacFarland Staying Put?
There were rumors around the league leading up to Colorado’s Game 4 loss that the Nashville Predators were waiting for the Avalanche season to end so they could attempt to lure MacFarland away with a promotion to President of Hockey Operations.
Friedman does not believe the Avalanche are going to allow that to happen. Nashville cannot speak with MacFarland without Colorado’s permission.
MacFarland reportedly has one year remaining on his current contract, and Friedman said that unless the opportunity includes a massive promotion or significant pay increase, he does not expect Colorado to allow MacFarland to walk away.
The possibility of losing MacFarland would create another layer of uncertainty for an organization already facing a critical offseason. Colorado remains in win-now mode, and stability in the front office could become especially important if the organization is also evaluating its coaching staff.
Whenever the Avalanche do address the media next week, they’ll likely field questions that extend far beyond a disappointing playoff exit. With expectations remaining firmly on winning another Stanley Cup, Colorado will have to navigate any potential front office or coaching changes quickly.