3 best potential Jared Bednar replacements as Avalanche coach hits hot seat

The Colorado Avalanche were swept out of the Western Conference Final by the Vegas Golden Knights. After winning the Presidents’ Trophy, it was a disappointing playoff exit for Colorado, which has its coach in the crosshairs. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar is on the hot seat, but they can only fire him if one of these three replacements comes in.

Bednar is the second-longest tenured active head coach in the league, behind Tampa Bay Lightning bench boss Jon Cooper. He won the 2022 Stanley Cup with the Avalanche, but has not led them back to the Cup Final in any other season. With a star-studded cast on the ice, many fans are expecting more in terms of championships. Plus, the Nashville Predators may poach general manager Chris MacFarland, which would create some more change in Denver.

The Avalanche can make the coaching change in an effort to shake up the locker room. But they have to ensure one of these three coaches can take over.

David Carle could make the jump to the Avalanche

With every NHL coach opening comes the mention of University of Denver head coach David Carle. At just 36 years old, Carle has won three NCAA championships with the Pioneers and two World Junior Championships gold medals with Team USA. Despite efforts from other teams, Carle has remained with Denver and kept winning hockey games. Maybe an Avalanche opening could change things.

The Avalanche are owned by the Kronke family, who have plenty of money to hire whatever coach they want. So geography and financials are not going to be an excuse for Carle to not take the Avalanche job. If he just wants to stay with the Pioneers, there may be nothing the NHL club can do. But if the top college coach of his era is ever going to take an NHL job, it may be this one.

Outside of Carle being a highly-regarded hockey mind, his age could play into the Avalanche’s hands. They would have a contemporary of their current players to try and get them a second championship. And then, they would have a proven developmental coach to lead a rebuild afterwards, if necessary. This would be a home run hire and one of the few names that would make the Bednar firing easier to swallow.

Get the Golden Knights secrets with Bruce Cassidy

Bednar said that the Avalanche “ran into a buzzsaw” after losing Game 4 to the Golden Knights. Vegas turned its season around when it fired Bruce Cassidy and brought in John Tortorella. While there is no guarantee that Tortorella stays in Vegas, it would be unlikely that he leaves. Cassidy, however, will be heavily courted by teams looking for a new coach.

Cassidy won the 2023 Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights and went to the 2019 Stanley Cup Final with the Boston Bruins. The Edmonton Oilers have asked the Knights for permission to interview him, so they are interested. Vegas has not granted permission yet, but it can be assumed that Cassidy will have a new job next year. If the Avalanche job is open, Colorado should make a run at him and make the coach choose between Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid.

Keep the message the same with Nolan Pratt

Nolan Pratt has been an assistant coach on the Avalanche staff for the entirety of Bednar’s run. If they want a new voice but know that Bednar’s 121-point process is right, Pratt could be the answer. A similar hire in recent memory was when the New York Islanders parted ways with Barry Trotz and hired long-time assistant Lane Lambert. While that did not work out, Colorado’s system is much stronger.

Pratt won the 2022 Stanley Cup as an Avalanche assistant and two titles as a player: 2001 in Colorado and 2004 with Tampa Bay. In his time behind the bench, Pratt has managed the defense and the penalty kill, two units that have led the Avalanche on successful runs. After their dreadful powerplay this regular and postseason, a new look under a familiar coach could be the way forward.

The Avalanche may have a head coach opening, which was impossible just two weeks ago. Could one of Carle, Cassidy, or Pratt be a better fit than Bednar?

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