It isn’t often that you see anyone on either side of the former legendary rivals sympathize with the other side. So you can bet there were a few raised eyebrows with the comments made by Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar regarding the Detroit Red Wings.
Bednar’s Avalanche added to the misery that is the 2019-20 Detroit Red Wings season, taking them down during matinee matchup at Pepsi Center by a 6-3 final score.
At 12-34-4, any hope of the playoffs disappeared long ago for Detroit, though pride is still on the line. But for Bednar, he understands what Detroit is going through. After all, he and the Avalanche suffered through a similarly miserable season not long ago.
“It’s horrible. It’s pure misery,” Bednar explained. “You feel your effort is good and you’re trying to do your best and you just can’t get it done.”
Colorado stumbled through a 22-56-4 season in 2016-17, though Bednar wasn’t shown his walking papers. He and the Avalanche are now among the top young teams in hockey, and Detroit can only hope for a similar outcome for themselves.
Forward Dylan Larkin echoed the Avalanche coach’s sentiments.
“I remember three years ago coming in here playing against these guys, they didn’t look like they wanted to play,” Larkin said. “Look at what they’ve done with their top line and (Cale) Makar is one heck of a player.
“I find these guys right now a real team, and they’re contenders and the most dynamic team we’ve played against.”
– – Quotes courtesy of Pat Graham of NBC Sports 25 Link – –
