Jared Bednar will be dealing with this issue for the entire off-season.
Avalanche supporters and followers of the league are criticizing the head coach for putting a clearly injured Nathan MacKinnon on the crucial power play of Colorado’s season.
The backlash is loud. NHL Review showed how people felt on Sunday: this type of decision SHOULD put Bednar in a tough spot. That’s a strong statement.
Earlier in the game, MacKinnon took a hit to block a shot, looked like he was in pain, and was seen limping off the ice. Then, he returned to play during an important power play.
That’s what fans can’t understand. You don’t take a chance with a $12.6 million star player for a single special-teams moment when he can hardly move.
The Avs captain just had an amazing season with 127 points at the age of 30. He scored 53 goals and had a plus-57 rating. He is the most valuable player Colorado has, no question about it.
How one decision about the power play can change the story of the off-season
Colorado finished with the best record at 55-16-11, earning 121 points and a plus-99 goal differential. The team is really talented. People expect even more than just the regular-season results.
Bednar has been the coach since 2016. He already won a Stanley Cup. He’s not a coach who will be judged solely on one choice.
But the situation is important. Cale Makar was listed as day-to-day. The defense already had issues. Now the captain could hardly move during key moments.
Was the power play really that crucial? Bednar seemed to think so. The real question is whether MacKinnon should have been the one asked to step up while in that condition.
Watching him struggle was tough to see. The replay made it even harder. Seeing your top player limping around in his offensive zone should not be part of any playoff game.
GM Chris MacFarland has put this team together to perform at its best in May and June. If they lose MacKinnon for even a single game, it gives Vegas the chance they have been looking for all spring.
The Avalanche must ensure their captain is prepared. The assistant coach needs to weigh the importance of winning tonight against having players available for future games.
A coach like Bednar, who has a strong background, won’t get let go just by what people say online. However, he will face scrutiny. And the concerns being raised are reasonable.
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