In a move that adds a fascinating strategic layer, perhaps tinged with a bit of irony, the Colorado Avalanche have officially announced the addition of Dave Hakstol to their coaching staff. Hakstol, who recently concluded his tenure as the inaugural head coach of the Seattle Kraken, is set to join Jared Bednar`s group in Denver. His primary mandate appears clear: breathe life back into an Avalanche power play that faltered significantly in the recent postseason.
The necessity for an overhaul in the special teams department became glaringly apparent during Colorado`s first-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars. Despite possessing offensive superstars like Nathan MacKinnon and Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Cale Makar, the Avalanche`s power play unit struggled mightily, converting on a dismal three of 22 opportunities across the seven-game series. Adding to the woes, their penalty kill also allowed seven goals against during the same stretch. This performance prompted the organization to part ways with assistant coach Ray Bennett, who had previously overseen the power play.
Enter Dave Hakstol, a coach with a diverse and notable background. Before guiding the Kraken from their expansion season (2021-2024), where he led them to a 107-112-27 record and a playoff berth, Hakstol spent parts of four seasons as head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers (134-101-42). Perhaps most memorably for Avalanche fans, Hakstol was the strategist behind the Seattle Kraken team that sensationally eliminated Colorado in a seven-game first-round series during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. Prior to his NHL career, he enjoyed a highly successful 11-season run as head coach at the University of North Dakota, taking the program to the NCAA Frozen Four seven times. His international experience includes serving as an assistant coach for Team Canada, earning silver medals at the IIHF World Championship in 2017 (working with MacKinnon) and 2019 (a team that included Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood at the time).
Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland expressed confidence in the hiring. “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.”
Hakstol himself conveyed his enthusiasm for the new challenge. “This is a proud organization with a lot of talented players,” he remarked. “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.”
The task awaiting Hakstol is substantial: unlocking the full potential of a power play unit featuring some of the league`s most dynamic talents. His proven ability to build successful systems, including one that previously vexed the Avalanche, suggests he possesses the strategic acumen required. Bringing aboard the very coach who orchestrated their recent playoff defeat to address a key vulnerability adds a compelling storyline to the Avalanche`s strategic adjustments for the upcoming season. The focus is now firmly on special teams improvement as Colorado aims to reassert itself as a Stanley Cup contender.
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow