The Edmonton Oilers went quietly into the night, leaving a lot of hockey on the table after bowing out in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Kris Knoblauch paid the price (fairly/unfairly) for that exit, which puts the Oilers in a precarious position heading into the summer.
With Connor McDavid’s championship window becoming an even bigger talking point, pressure is mounting on management to land a proven bench boss who can immediately steady the group.
Meanwhile, Colorado’s stunning postseason collapse has suddenly dragged another heavyweight coach into the rumor mill. The Avalanche are facing questions following their brutal exit, and Jared Bednar’s name is gaining serious traction across NHL circles.
Darren Dreger Weighs In as Jared Bednar’s Name Emerges in Oilers Coaching Rumors
Bednar’s future with the Colorado Avalanche is starting to become a major offseason storyline following Colorado’s sweep at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final.
Despite leading the Avalanche to a Presidents’ Trophy-winning season and a 55-16-11 record, the disappointing playoff finish has birthed questions surrounding the organization’s direction moving forward.
Speaking on TSN OverDrive, NHL insider Darren Dreger pushed back on some of the immediate reaction surrounding Bednar’s future, even while acknowledging that internal discussions are likely happening inside the Avalanche organization.
Dreger said the speculation around a dismissal feels “a bit extreme” when considering “the resume and the history of Jared Bednar as head coach of the Colorado Avalanche.”
Still, Dreger admitted something around Colorado feels off after another disappointing postseason exit.
“I do think that, given that the Avs are obviously a top Stanley Cup contender, they just got swept by a machine in the Vegas Golden Knights, those sort of internal conversations will likely take place. There was just a hesitation around Colorado, which felt unfair at the point when you look at the season that they had,” he added.
Dreger pointed to broader organizational questions involving general manager Chris MacFarland and suggested the Avalanche will likely conduct “a pretty big audit” to determine whether the problem lies in roster construction, injuries, or something deeper within the team’s structure.
This uncertainty has naturally linked Bednar to Edmonton, where Stan Bowman continues an aggressive search for a veteran coach with championship experience. The Oilers are reportedly looking for a stronger defensive identity and a more demanding bench presence after firing Knoblauch earlier this month.
Bednar’s name has gained traction partly because Edmonton is already exploring multiple high-profile candidates. The organization has formally interviewed Craig Berube after receiving permission from Toronto, and according to TSN reporting, the meeting lasted between three and four hours. Berube’s reputation for accountability and structure reportedly appeals strongly to Edmonton’s front office.
At the same time, Oilers Nation insider Jason Gregor recently stated he believes Peter Laviolette has also interviewed with the Oilers. Gregor said he is “pretty confident and certain” that Laviolette has already spoken with management as Edmonton continues evaluating experienced coaching options.
The Oilers also have significant interest in Bruce Cassidy, though Vegas has still withheld permission from Edmonton to speak with the former Golden Knights coach.
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For now, Bednar remains under contract with Colorado through the 2026-27 season, making any move complicated unless the Avalanche decide to make a major organizational change. But with Edmonton exploring every elite coaching option available, the speculation surrounding Bednar is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
