Jared Bednar Discussion

[Nihiliste]

Bednar’s system is a huge part of how we tilt the ice, and he’s been great bringing along the young guys. The only way we lose him and don’t regret it with our squad IMO is with Gallant

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

Bednar’s system is a huge part of how we tilt the ice, and he’s been great bringing along the young guys. The only way we lose him and don’t regret it with our squad IMO is with Gallant

Yep, Bednar definitely deserves credit.

He’ll to be held to a high standard come playoff time as they need to show progress, but he’s definitely showing his system is still effective.

 

[22FUTON9]

It's prudent to wait until the offseason to judge Bednar as he'll be judged on postseason success more than the regular season. He's certainly earned enough rope to get at least another season, but failing to get past the 2nd round again might turn the heat up on him a bit.

Should it though? Maybe if the team completely shits the bed the next two years, but I’d say the past two years shouldn’t really be a part of the equation. Last year half of team was injured and the year before we just didn’t have that good of a team. I really believe coaching is one of our last problems.

 

[Richard88]

Should it though? Maybe if the team completely shits the bed the next two years, but I’d say the past two years shouldn’t really be a part of the equation. Last year half of team was injured and the year before we just didn’t have that good of a team. I really believe coaching is one of our last problems.

I mean, let's say the Avs lose in the first round against Minnesota. That would absolutely turn the heat up on Bednar, though he'd likely still get to stay as head coach into next season. A slow start or first half of the season next year after a 1st round exit could precipitate a coaching change though. A lot has to go wrong for that scenario to play out however so it's a bit of a pessimistic outlook.

 

[SirLoinOfCloth]

Do people really think Bednar is anywhere close to a hot seat? His history with the Avs has been nothing but excellence. If the Avs fail this year, he will not be the problem. It will be what it has often been, injuries to key personnel.

Bednar is straight up a legit Stanley Cup caliber coach. Give him a healthy squad in the post-season and he will make noise.

Agreed 100%. The Bednar haters come out when we have a depleted roster and are struggling offensively, but now that everything is clicking, we have a nearly healthy team, and we're pouring in the goals there is no love for the systems that Bednar has put in place. He is extremely intelligent and has high hockey IQ if you listen to him. Without doubt, he is one of the best coaches we've had in a long long time.

 

[flyfysher]

Agreed 100%. The Bednar haters come out when we have a depleted roster and are struggling offensively, but now that everything is clicking, we have a nearly healthy team, and we're pouring in the goals there is no love for the systems that Bednar has put in place. He is extremely intelligent and has high hockey IQ if you listen to him. Without doubt, he is one of the best coaches we've had in a long long time.

I just don’t see how JB has been anything but an outstanding HC.

 

[LOFIN]

I just don’t see how JB has been anything but an outstanding HC.

I have had issues with our PP and still do. That's an area that simply needs to be fixed.

 

[flyfysher]

I have had issues with our PP and still do. That's an area that simply needs to be fixed.

You’re always going to have areas where things could be improved. But there’s no doubt the Avs have thrived under his leadership. I tend to think a lot of the Avs fan base tends to overreact to regular season games.

 

[PAZ]

Agreed 100%. The Bednar haters come out when we have a depleted roster and are struggling offensively, but now that everything is clicking, we have a nearly healthy team, and we're pouring in the goals there is no love for the systems that Bednar has put in place. He is extremely intelligent and has high hockey IQ if you listen to him. Without doubt, he is one of the best coaches we've had in a long long time.

I do think he deserves criticism in some areas such as his inability to motivate the team for comebacks and make certain in-game adjustments. I also think he probably has ~2 year of left to try and win the cup before we see a coaching change, assuming everything continues as status quo.

But overall, it's quite impressive he's led the Avs for 5 years, and there are no signs of the players tuning Bednar out or getting tired of his system. I imagine it has to do with players liking his system and his calm demeanor. Now just fire Bennett and get an actual PP coach.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

I mean, let's say the Avs lose in the first round against Minnesota. That would absolutely turn the heat up on Bednar, though he'd likely still get to stay as head coach into next season. A slow start or first half of the season next year after a 1st round exit could precipitate a coaching change though. A lot has to go wrong for that scenario to play out however so it's a bit of a pessimistic outlook.

I have to disagree with you. The only way Bednar gets canned by Sakic is if we get ousted early in the playoffs AND the team was healthy AND we have a bad start next season. Bednar cannot be blamed for our early exit last playoffs. With any of Gru or Frankie healthy we would have beat Dallas. Same goes for this season. Bednar should not be blamed if we lose early in the playoffs while having numerous injuries to important players. The only thing he could be blamed for is if he doesn't adjust at all or not enough his system due to those injuries.

 

[Richard88]

I have to disagree with you. The only way Bednar gets canned by Sakic is if we get ousted early in the playoffs AND the team was healthy AND we have a bad start next season. Bednar cannot be blamed for our early exit last playoffs. With any of Gru or Frankie healthy we would have beat Dallas. Same goes for this season. Bednar should not be blamed if we lose early in the playoffs while having numerous injuries to important players. The only thing he could be blamed for is if he doesn't adjust at all or not enough his system due to those injuries.

I think we actually agree on that part in bold. I was saying basically the same thing. A 1st round exit + slow start next year, without any injury/off-ice excuses, would be enough reason to start to talk about moving on from him. As I said though, a lot has to happen for that to be a reality, and there's no indication right now that it will happen.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

I think we actually agree on that part in bold. I was saying basically the same thing. A 1st round exit + slow start next year, without any injury/off-ice excuses, would be enough reason to start to talk about moving on from him. As I said though, a lot has to happen for that to be a reality, and there's no indication right now that it will happen.

Yeah we mostly agree but you left out the injury part which in my mind is very important. People can argue that every team has injuries and it is the coach's job to deal with them but it also depends on who gets injured. Obviously a Mack injury or both your goalies being injured is a lot more impacting than a Bellemare injury or even Kadri for example. That's why I was disagreeing.

 

[Richard88]

Yeah we mostly agree but you left out the injury part which in my mind is very important. People can argue that every team has injuries and it is the coach's job to deal with them but it also depends on who gets injured. Obviously a Mack injury or both your goalies being injured is a lot more impacting than a Bellemare injury or even Kadri for example. That's why I was disagreeing.

Cool, I agree with you on that, though I didn't mention it specifically in my first post. Obviously if Mackinnon or Grubauer get injured that changes the dynamic of things.

 

[cinchronicity]

I just don’t see how JB has been anything but an outstanding HC.

Sorry but must disagree. Bednar's 'system' is excellent, but is there anything earth shattering about having forwards backcheck? What else about his 'system' is elite? The way the powerplay functions when PP1 has a Top 2 C and a top 2 Dman in the league? ( And Mikko as a sniper!) The ability of the team to cycle? The inability, for 2 years, to form a D Zone exit strategy? The epidemic of too many men penalties last year? The fact that he has massive difficulty making in-game adjustments? The Bednar Blender, which eliminates chemistry ( need not look further than Jost / Nuke / Donk playing together for 2 weeks)? The wholly and entirely predictable PP O Zone entry? The inability to form a strategy to combat teams which clog up the N Zone? The abject inability to come back when the other team scores first? The inability to mount a 3rd period comeback of any kind?

At absolute best, Bednar is an average coach. He routinely is outcoached by other average coaches. Injuries have not been his friend, so I don't think that any rash decisions are needed. That said, next year is his 'contract year' and he better start making changes to the faults featured above if he wants another contract.

 

[arun]

I wouldnt say im a bedsy hater but i really really dislike the fact he shows so little fire behind the bench when it is needed, even with a very bad call or missed call or whatsoever.

I dont pay enough attention in-game to judge his line juggling but some of his (non)choices are a bit doubtful here and there. I mean, our PP is just a one trick pony and when facing adversity or when we’re down a couple of goals, he doesn’t seem to (be able to) change his system (can I get a drop-pass y’all?!)

 

[Pokecheque]

Sorry but must disagree. Bednar's 'system' is excellent, but is there anything earth shattering about having forwards backcheck? What else about his 'system' is elite? The way the powerplay functions when PP1 has a Top 2 C and a top 2 Dman in the league? ( And Mikko as a sniper!) The ability of the team to cycle? The inability, for 2 years, to form a D Zone exit strategy? The epidemic of too many men penalties last year? The fact that he has massive difficulty making in-game adjustments? The Bednar Blender, which eliminates chemistry ( need not look further than Jost / Nuke / Donk playing together for 2 weeks)? The wholly and entirely predictable PP O Zone entry? The inability to form a strategy to combat teams which clog up the N Zone? The abject inability to come back when the other team scores first? The inability to mount a 3rd period comeback of any kind?

At absolute best, Bednar is an average coach. He routinely is outcoached by other average coaches. Injuries have not been his friend, so I don't think that any rash decisions are needed. That said, next year is his 'contract year' and he better start making changes to the faults featured above if he wants another contract.

This is beyond ridiculous to call Bednar's system "Make the forwards backcheck." You really think the best defensive team in hockey is nothing more than making the guys backcheck? There are breakdowns of what Bednar has his guys do in the neutral zone and it's obviously quite effective at cutting down on opposition zone entries and acquiring the puck. His system emphasizes puck possession and an up-tempo attacking offense while also not yielding high-danger scoring chances.

The backchecking is merely the players fully buying into the system. Everyone is pretty much putting in their best defensive effort, even poor defensive players like Kadri.

And I think the Avs seem just fine combating teams that try and clog it up. After a so-so start against the Coyotes, who do everything possible to clog up the neutral zone and collapse down low to limit/block shots, they took over and still managed a decisive win even without their best effort. The real test IMO will be to see how they do against teams like Vegas who can clog it up and produce an effective counterattack--the latter of which Arizona doesn't have.

Also, the team hardly skipped a beat defensively without two of their best defensemen and having to rely on two (three if you still consider MacNorris to be one) career minor leaguers and the team was having zero puck luck at the other end of the ice.

Bednar should absolutely be a candidate for the Jack Adams this year. If he isn't, throw that stupid thing in the trash because no one has any idea what makes a good coach in that case.

 

[Pokecheque]

I wouldnt say im a bedsy hater but i really really dislike the fact he shows so little fire behind the bench when it is needed, even with a very bad call or missed call or whatsoever.

I dont pay enough attention in-game to judge his line juggling but some of his (non)choices are a bit doubtful here and there. I mean, our PP is just a one trick pony and when facing adversity or when we’re down a couple of goals, he doesn’t seem to (be able to) change his system (can I get a drop-pass y’all?!)

This is also a ridiculous notion. There's plenty of fire in Bednar, but like Joe Sakic, he saves it for the locker room and behind closed doors. By all accounts he read the riot act to the team after that first period against Anaheim, which is credited as the moment when the team finally woke the hell up and hasn't really let up since.

I really don't think a coach's inability to control his emotions factors into his ability as a bench boss. If this were true Guy Boucher and John Tortorella should be winning the Adams every season.

 

[Richard Doll]

I think sleepy Joe is also Patient Joe.

I am not sure anything other than missing the playoffs gets Bednar replaced.

 

[arun]

This is also a ridiculous notion. There's plenty of fire in Bednar, but like Joe Sakic, he saves it for the locker room and behind closed doors. By all accounts he read the riot act to the team after that first period against Anaheim, which is credited as the moment when the team finally woke the hell up and hasn't really let up since.

I really don't think a coach's inability to control his emotions factors into his ability as a bench boss. If this were true Guy Boucher and John Tortorella should be winning the Adams every season.

Sure thing. Im not saying he should go Roy or Torts all day every day.

I obviously dont have access to our room. I just go with what i see in-game and sometimes i just wish there was a bit more fire, but hey that’s me.

 

[Pokecheque]

I think sleepy Joe is also Patient Joe.

I am not sure anything other than missing the playoffs gets Bednar replaced.

Agreed.

If it's a disappointing playoff finish, I think Bennett gets the axe, possibly Pratt as well but I seriously doubt it on the latter given how well the team has performed defensively. If that happens then invariably the heat gets turned up on Bednar as well.

 

[Pokecheque]

Sure thing. Im not saying he should go Roy or Torts all day every day.

I obviously dont have access to our room. I just go with what i see in-game and sometimes i just wish there was a bit more fire, but hey that’s me.

People always said this about Joe Sakic as a captain for years and years, I just don't buy that you gotta blow up from time to time in order to prove worthiness as a leader. Some leaders just don't do it that way. Some do, and that's fine I guess but that also wears thin very quickly.

I'm pretty sure when Bednar gets harsh with his criticism at the pressers, that's an indication he's quite upset.

 

[Belgican]

Bednar needed some turnaround in the team, he got it, and I’m impressed.

It was about time, but we have to admit the players have taken another gear

 

[Richard Doll]

Ya, I sometimes think "Did he just say that?" when listening to his pressers. he doesn't sugar coat.

maybe he doesn't blow up during the game but I am pretty sure he says his mind in meetings.

 

[Newusername]

If you think bednar is a bad coach, I don’t know what to tell you. Watch more hockey? Plenty of terrible coaches in the nhl right now. Darryl sutter, John hynes, lindy ruff, even tortorella I would throw on that list

 

[flyfysher]

Sorry but must disagree. Bednar's 'system' is excellent, but is there anything earth shattering about having forwards backcheck? What else about his 'system' is elite? The way the powerplay functions when PP1 has a Top 2 C and a top 2 Dman in the league? ( And Mikko as a sniper!) The ability of the team to cycle? The inability, for 2 years, to form a D Zone exit strategy? The epidemic of too many men penalties last year? The fact that he has massive difficulty making in-game adjustments? The Bednar Blender, which eliminates chemistry ( need not look further than Jost / Nuke / Donk playing together for 2 weeks)? The wholly and entirely predictable PP O Zone entry? The inability to form a strategy to combat teams which clog up the N Zone? The abject inability to come back when the other team scores first? The inability to mount a 3rd period comeback of any kind?

At absolute best, Bednar is an average coach. He routinely is outcoached by other average coaches. Injuries have not been his friend, so I don't think that any rash decisions are needed. That said, next year is his 'contract year' and he better start making changes to the faults featured above if he wants another contract.

You’re right. I completely disagree with your assessment.