Avalanche extend Bednar's contract through 2019-2020

The Colorado Avalanche have signed head coach Jared Bednar to a one-year contract extension, general manager Joe Sakic announced Monday, according to Paul Klee of the Colorado Springs Gazette.

Bednar is coming off the second year of his original three-year contract, meaning he is now signed through the 2019-20 season.

"He's done an amazing job," Sakic said, adding that they agreed on the extension last week.

After Bednar's miserable first season with the Avalanche, in which they finished with just 48 points and the worst record in the salary-cap era, the club took a huge step forward this season, clinching a playoff spot and pushing the Presidents' Trophy-winning Nashville Predators to six games.

"I really believe in (Bednar) and his entire staff," Sakic said. "He's done a tremendous job and has earned everything he's gotten."

Under Bednar, this year's Avalanche were 47 points better, the biggest improvement of any team this season.