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Jared Bednar Needs to Turn Up the Heat Before Avalanche’s Season Gets Away From Them

Despite elite offensive firepower, Colorado’s defensive negligence reached a breaking point in Columbus. Jared Bednar is demanding immediate physicality and urgency before a porous backline sinks their season.

By Ryan O’Hara · The Hockey News

Published: Wednesday, 4 November 2026 at 10:45 PM

Key Things to Know

Ryan O’Hara argues Jared Bednar must increase intensity to fix the Avalanche's recurring defensive issues.
Colorado suffered an embarrassing 7-2 defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets despite possessing elite offensive firepower.
Bednar expressed frustration that repeated defensive breakdowns persist despite being addressed by the coaching staff.

The Story in 60 Seconds

The Hockey News argues that Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar must increase team intensity following a heavy 7-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Despite Colorado boasting an elite offense, Bednar expressed severe frustration over his squad's lack of defensive commitment, urgency, and physicality.

Bednar noted that defensive lapses are becoming recurring issues roughly 20 percent into the season. The writer emphasizes that Colorado cannot rely solely on offensive production if opponents continue to dominate the front of the Avalanche net.

Read the full article on The Hockey News

Jared Bednar Needs to Turn Up the Heat Before Avalanche’s Season Gets Away From Them

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