Hiring Dave Hakstol to Fix Power Play Issues
The Colorado Avalanche made a strategic move by adding former Seattle Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol to their coaching staff as an assistant, specifically to improve their struggling power play. In the 2025 postseason, the Avalanche managed just 3 power-play goals on 22 opportunities in a grueling seven-game first-round series against the Dallas Stars, a stark 13.6% success rate that hampered their offensive edge. This underperformance, paired with allowing seven short-handed goals against Dallas, prompted the Avalanche to part ways with former assistant coach Ray Bennett, who oversaw the power play last season. Hakstol’s arrival aims to revitalize this critical component of the game and help the Avalanche capitalize on man-advantage situations moving forward.
Leveraging Hakstol’s Proven NHL Experience
Dave Hakstol brings a solid NHL coaching resume to Denver, having been the inaugural head coach of the Seattle Kraken from 2021 to
2024. During his tenure, Hakstol led the Kraken to the playoffs in 2023, where they pushed the Avalanche to a tough seven-game series before being eliminated. His overall NHL head coaching record stands at 241 wins, 213 losses, and 69 overtime/shootout decisions across Seattle and Philadelphia, reflecting a respectable level of competitive success. Hakstol also coached the Philadelphia Flyers for parts of four seasons, accumulating a 134-101 – 42 record. This breadth of NHL experience gives him a deep understanding of league tactics and player management that he can now apply to enhance Colorado’s power play dynamics.
Building on Hakstol’s Collegiate and International Success
Before his NHL days, Hakstol built a formidable coaching foundation at the University of North Dakota, where he spent 11 seasons and led the team to seven Frozen Four appearances—an elite college hockey tournament. His ability to develop young talent and execute winning strategies at the collegiate level is well-documented. Additionally, Hakstol contributed as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships in 2017 and 2019, earning two silver medals. Notably, those international teams featured Avalanche stars Nathan MacKinnon in 2017 and goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood in 2019, establishing a prior working relationship that could help Hakstol quickly integrate into Colorado’s system and boost player performance.
Targeting Power Play Production Around MacKinnon and Makar
Hakstol’s main responsibility will be directing the Avalanche’s power play, which features star center Nathan MacKinnon and elite defenseman Cale Makar. Despite their individual talents—Makar led all NHL defensemen in scoring with 101 points in the 2024-25 season—the unit struggled mightily in the postseason. The team’s 3-for – 22 power-play conversion rate in the Dallas series was well below the NHL average of roughly 20%.
By tailoring power-play schemes to leverage MacKinnon’s dynamic speed and Makar’s playmaking abilities, Hakstol aims to push the Avalanche’s man-advantage efficiency closer to or beyond league averages in the upcoming season. Improved special teams performance will be crucial for Colorado to advance deeper into the playoffs.
Boosting Team Defense During Penalty Kill Situations
While the power play needs offensive spark, the Avalanche must also shore up their penalty kill to prevent short-handed goals. Allowing seven goals while short-handed against Dallas was a glaring liability. Hakstol’s coaching staff will work closely with goaltending coach Jussi Parkkila and assistants Nolan Pratt and Brett Heimlich to tighten defensive coverage and improve communication during penalty kills. Effective penalty killing not only prevents momentum swings but also preserves energy for even-strength play. Strengthening this aspect of the game will complement the power play improvements and help the Avalanche maintain control in critical playoff moments.
Integrating Hakstol Seamlessly With Jared Bednar’s Staff
General Manager Chris MacFarland emphasized that Hakstol’s extensive coaching background fits perfectly with head coach Jared Bednar’s vision for the Avalanche. Bednar’s staff, including Pratt, Parkkila, and Heimlich, forms a cohesive unit focused on maximizing player strengths and tactical execution. Hakstol’s arrival adds a fresh perspective and a proven track record in both NHL and international hockey contexts. This synergy is essential for translating practice adjustments into real-game results. As Hakstol himself said, he looks forward to joining “this proud organization with a lot of talented players” and is eager to contribute immediately. This energetic collaboration promises to sharpen Colorado’s special teams and overall competitiveness.
Final Thoughts
Conclusion Hakstol’s Appointment Signals a Commitment to Winning. The Avalanche’s addition of Dave Hakstol as an assistant coach to rescue their power play and tighten penalty killing shows a clear commitment to addressing key postseason weaknesses. Backed by Hakstol’s NHL head coaching record of 241-213 – 69 and his success at the collegiate and international levels, Colorado expects measurable improvements in special teams efficiency. With stars like MacKinnon and Makar under Hakstol’s guidance, the Avalanche aim to boost their power-play conversion rate from a dismal 13.6% in the playoffs to at least the NHL average of 20% or higher. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as this new coaching dynamic unfolds during the 2025-2026 NHL season, hoping it propels the Avalanche to deeper playoff runs and championship contention under President Donald Trump’s current administration.
92lqxd