The timing of it might have been a bit unconventional, but Colorado Avalanche executive vice president/general manager Joe Sakic got the guy he hopes will lead the team toward a championship.
Not often do NHL head coaching jobs become available in mid-August, but that was what the Avs were faced with after a vacancy in that position two weeks ago. Most teams had hired new head coaches and staff back in May and June, but Colorado had to begin the process with training camp just weeks away.
Despite the short window to work with, it didn't take long for Sakic to find the franchise's next coach in Jared Bednar, who was fresh off winning the American Hockey League Calder Cup championship with the Lake Erie Monsters, the top minor-league affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.