Should Avalanche’s Jared Bednar be the NHL’s coach of the year?

Kiz: I’m delighted to say I was wrong about Jared Bednar. A year ago at this time, I believed Bednar was over his head as coach of an NHL team and destined to fail. So call me a knucklehead and, more important, let me offer general manager Joe Sakic applause for keeping the faith in Bednar. Instead of asking if he should be fired, I now wonder: Does Bednar deserve to be named the league’s coach of the year? Chambers: I’m convinced Bednar will be a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, and if the Avs make the playoffs, I suspect he’ll win it. His main competitor is Vegas’ Gerard Gallant, who has led the expansion Golden Knights to the playoffs in their inaugural season. But I think Vegas’ shocking success says more about the work of general manager George McPhee and his staff for putting the pieces together in the first place. Kiz: Hey, my friend, you’re the one who’s around the team, from morning skates in the Denver suburbs to the dead of winter, with the wind howling outside a rink in Alberta. In what ways have you seen Bednar grow as a coach? Or does he conduct his business in exactly the same manner as when Bednar was forced to endure the worst season in franchise history? What do players respect the most about him? Chambers: He’s definitely a player’s coach. He doesn’t fly off the handle, and he tries to make it fun. He fosters a healthy environment, although I would preferred that he was more critical of Matt Duchene during that early-season drama. But I learn things — or are reminded of them — from Bednar, when he talks about the little but important details of the game, like footwork, angles and stick position. Personally, I would have lost it last season trying to coach what was a highly dysfunctional team. But Bednar got through it and is undoubtedly a better coach because of it. Kiz: Bednar has demonstrated his bona fides as an NHL coach. But if you’re asking me, the Avalanche’s leap in the standings is all about Nathan MacKinnon. Having the best player on the ice has changed the team’s mind-set. I think Mac is a legit MVP candidate, while Bednar is a feel-good story. Yes, Bednar has earned kudos. But the coach of the year? Shouldn’t Gallant be a lock to win the Jack Adams? Chambers: I think the Golden Knights’ body of work directly stems from McPhee. I think we all learned something about building a hockey team, and I’ll borrow a line from Herb Brooks in “Miracle” — “I’m not looking for the best players, Craig, I’m looking for the right ones.” McPhee built a hockey team by putting the right pieces together, but yes, Gallant has done a nice job of coaching those pieces. As for MacKinnon, he’s my choice for the Hart Trophy IF the Avs make the playoffs.