Jared Bednar stands convinced his Avalanche team is a starkly distinct than the squad that landed in the NHL’s dregs last season. Colorado’s coach has seen it behind closed doors.
After a disgusting 7-0 loss at Las Vegas last Friday against the expansion Golden Knights, captain Gabriel Landeskog called a team meeting to hash out their issues. The Avs have no room to mail in an effort. If Colorado wants to follow up a last-place season with a return to the playoffs, it will happen by grinding out every game.
The meeting, it seems, had some effect.