Joe Sakic defends Jared Bednar extension, looks to players to get ‘big goal’ or ‘big save’

Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic met with the media on Wednesday night about an hour before the team’s 2026-27 regular season opener.

The big news of the day was a four-year contract extension handed out to head coach Jared Bednar who was entering the final year of his deal.

Sakic explained why he gave Bednar the extension, focused on eliminating “distractions” and not having Bednar enter the season as a lame-duck head coach.

“We just want him to focus on hockey, both him and the players,” Sakic said.

And while many Avalanche fans are thrilled Bednar will be sticking around, including the head coach himself, Joe Sakic did get asked why the extension after Colorado hasn’t hoisted the Stanley Cup since 2022.

Here’s Avalanche GM Joe Sakic on what he would tell fans who aren’t happy with the Jared Bednar contract extension.

“You don’t always look at the coaching staff. They’re not the ones on the ice who need to score the big goal or get the big save.”

Thoughtful response from Sakic. pic.twitter.com/gPLTcrwXja

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) October 1, 2026

“Fair question, I guess,” Joe Sakic said. “For different reasons, different types of years we haven’t gotten it done but I also say you don’t always look at the coaching staff. They’re not the ones on the ice, they’re not the ones who need to score the big goal or get the big save.”

The Avs couldn’t find those big moments in the Western Conference Final last season, shockingly swept by Vegas when it felt like another championship was in reach.

For Sakic, he’s made it clear everyone in the organization knows the goal moving forward.

“As a group, coaching staff and the players, they know what’s expected and our goal is to win the Cup together. Hopefully this year we have another great regular season, put ourselves in a good spot and try and compete for it again,” Sakic said.

Ultimately, Bednar is now safe. Sakic and the Kroenke family have made that clear with this latest extension.

Joe Sakic is also putting the pressure on the players to perform at the most important times. Those moments won’t come until April, May and (hopefully) June, but Sakic sent the message on opening night.

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