DENVER, CO – The Colorado Avalanche are making a strategic move to address their postseason shortcomings, bringing a familiar face – albeit one from the opposition`s bench not long ago – into their coaching ranks. Former Seattle Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol has officially joined Jared Bednar`s staff as an assistant coach, with a clear mandate to revitalize a power play unit that struggled noticeably in the recent playoffs.
Hakstol`s arrival is particularly noteworthy given his recent history. Just over a year prior, he was the architect behind the Seattle Kraken`s stunning first-round upset of the Avalanche in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. That intense seven-game series saw Hakstol`s expansion club outmaneuver the defending champions. Now, in a twist of fate that`s not uncommon in professional sports, the team he helped eliminate is banking on his expertise to solve some of their own problems. It`s a compelling narrative: if you can`t beat `em, perhaps hiring the person who did is the next best strategy.
The 56-year-old coach boasts a deep and varied resume. As the inaugural head coach of the Kraken from 2021 to 2024, he steered the franchise through its formative years, culminating in that unexpected playoff berth in 2023. His tenure in Seattle concluded with a 107-112-27 record. Before his time in the Pacific Northwest, Hakstol spent parts of four seasons as the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, where he compiled a 134-101-42 record. His coaching foundation was built over 11 successful seasons at the University of North Dakota, leading the collegiate program to an impressive seven appearances in the Frozen Four.
Beyond league play, Hakstol has experience on the international stage, earning two silver medals as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship (2017 and 2019). This international work included stints coaching Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon (2017) and then-Team Canada goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (2019), offering some existing familiarity with key personnel.
The immediate focus for Hakstol in Denver will undoubtedly be the power play. This unit, despite featuring offensive stalwarts like Nathan MacKinnon and Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar, converted on a paltry 3 of 22 opportunities during the Avalanche`s first-round playoff series loss to the Dallas Stars. This inefficiency on the man advantage, coupled with surrendering seven shorthanded goals in the same series, highlighted a critical area for improvement. The team had previously parted ways with assistant coach Ray Bennett, who had overseen the power play.
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 said in a statement. “He has an extensive coaching background with a lot of success and will be a valuable addition to our team.”
Hakstol himself conveyed enthusiasm for his new role.
“This is a proud organization with a lot of talented players,” Hakstol stated. “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.”
Joining a staff that includes assistant Nolan Pratt, goaltending coach Jussi Parkkila, and assistant/video coach Brett Heimlich, Hakstol is positioned to directly address a tactical deficiency that proved costly in the recent playoff run. His hiring signifies a clear commitment from the Avalanche to refine their special teams and leverage experienced coaching to maximize the potential of their star-studded roster. The addition of a former head coach with a history of challenging this specific team adds an intriguing layer to the Avalanche`s preparations for the upcoming season.
