In a move signaling a clear strategic priority for the upcoming season, the Colorado Avalanche have announced the hiring of Dave Hakstol as an assistant coach. Hakstol, recently let go as the inaugural head coach of the Seattle Kraken, joins the Avalanche staff with a key mandate: revitalizing the team`s power play.
The urgency behind this hire stems directly from Colorado`s performance in the recent Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the team boasts offensive firepower like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, their vaunted power play sputtered significantly during the first-round series against the Dallas Stars, converting on a mere 3 of 22 opportunities (13.6%). Compounding the special teams woes, the Avalanche also surrendered seven shorthanded goals in that series. This performance prompted the departure of assistant coach Ray Bennett, who had overseen the power play.
Enter Dave Hakstol. The 56-year-old arrives in Denver with a diverse coaching resume. Intriguingly, Hakstol`s most recent significant accomplishment was leading the very Seattle Kraken team that eliminated the Avalanche in a seven-game first-round series just two years ago. Perhaps the Avalanche brass believes someone who recently defeated them understands what it takes to succeed against top competition – or at least, how to fix a unit that couldn`t solve the Stars.
Before his 107-112-27 tenure in Seattle (which included that 2023 playoff berth), Hakstol spent parts of four seasons as the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers (134-101-42). His roots are deep in the collegiate game, having coached the University of North Dakota for 11 seasons, leading them to seven Frozen Four appearances – a testament to long-term program building. His experience also extends to the international stage, earning silver medals as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship, notably coaching Nathan MacKinnon in 2017 and Mackenzie Blackwood in 2019.
Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland expressed confidence in the addition. “Dave brings a wealth of knowledge and experience behind the bench and will be a great fit on Jared’s staff,” MacFarland stated. “He has an extensive coaching background with a lot of success and will be a valuable addition to our team.”
For Hakstol, the move represents a fresh start with a contending club. “This is a proud organization with a lot of talented players,” Hakstol commented. “I look forward to being a part of this special group and can’t wait to get to work and help the team in any way that I can.”
Hakstol joins Head Coach Jared Bednar`s staff alongside Nolan Pratt, Jussi Parkkila (goaltending coach), and Brett Heimlich (assistant/video coach). His primary focus is clear: elevate a crucial aspect of Colorado`s game that proved to be a significant hurdle in their recent playoff campaign. The hire signals the Avalanche`s commitment to addressing weaknesses head-on as they aim for another deep postseason run.