Legendary NHL coach Scotty Bowman has never been one to mince words—and this week, the nine-time Stanley Cup champion made waves once again.
In a stunning statement, Bowman advised the Colorado Avalanche to part ways with head coach Jared Bednar and bring in new leadership behind the bench.
The comments have sparked widespread discussion across the hockey world, particularly given Bowman’s immense experience and unparalleled legacy in the sport.
Bowman, 90, is widely considered the greatest coach in NHL history, boasting 1,244 regular season wins and nine Stanley Cup championships as a head coach with the Canadiens, Penguins, and Red Wings.
His track record speaks volumes, and when he offers strong opinions, hockey executives, players, and fans take notice.
In a recent interview, Bowman praised the Avalanche’s roster talent but criticized what he called a “lack of adaptability and game-to-game adjustments” from Bednar during key playoff moments.
“Colorado has a championship roster,” Bowman said. “But coaching in the NHL isn’t just about systems anymore—it’s about momentum, matchups, and in-game decisions. I don’t see enough of that with Bednar lately.”
Jared Bednar, who took over the Avalanche in 2016, guided the team to a Stanley Cup win in 2022 and is widely respected for developing a fast, puck-possession style of play that emphasizes offensive creativity. But since their championship season, the Avalanche have underwhelmed in the postseason, raising concerns about whether the current coaching philosophy is getting the most out of a talent-laden roster led by Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen.
Bowman’s remarks come after another early playoff exit for Colorado, which fell short of expectations despite entering the postseason as a strong contender. Critics of Bednar point to questionable deployment decisions and a lack of tactical adjustments in the team’s series losses.
Bowman did not name a specific replacement for Bednar but suggested the Avalanche need “a new voice and fresh eyes” to reinvigorate the locker room and push the team back to championship form. “Sometimes a great coach can only take a team so far,” he said. “They need someone who can challenge them in new ways.”
Reactions to Bowman’s comments have been mixed. Some believe the Avalanche owe it to themselves to explore new coaching options before their Stanley Cup window begins to close. Others argue that Bednar’s track record—he is the winningest coach in franchise history—deserves more patience.
Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland has not issued a public response to Bowman’s remarks, but insiders suggest the front office is conducting a thorough evaluation of the coaching staff this offseason.
Whether Colorado decides to follow Bowman’s advice or not, his bold statement has ignited an offseason conversation that could reshape the franchise’s direction. If the Avalanche do make a change, it will signal a dramatic shift in strategy—and potentially the most high-stakes coaching hire in years.
For now, all eyes are on Denver to see whether the team stands by their Cup-winning coach—or listens to a legend urging them to roll the dice.
