The Colorado Avalanche have a new assistant replacing Ray Bennett. Dave Hakstol was announced as the new assistant coach and right-hand man to Jared Bednar on Tuesday afternoon.

Hakstol History

Hakstol was the head coach of the Seattle Kraken until 2024 when he was let go. Most recently, he helped Team Canada at the Spengler Cup. He is a bigger name joining the bench for Colorado, looking to improve the power play.

Should Hakstol be running the power play, the system in Seattle was far from great at the beginning, but then it got better as the years went on. In 2021-22, it was 14.5%. In 2022-23, it was 19.8%. Finally, his last year in 2023-24, it was 20.7%.

However, he’s never had a power play with the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Cale Makar running things. He’ll look to be creative and utilize those star guys to make man-advantage opportunities count.

Hakstol could also be tasked with something else while Nolan Pratt takes on the role or another coach behind the bench. Nonetheless, Hakstol is a good get for the Avs.

Could there be pressure on Bednar?

With Hakstol’s coaching experience and the Avs’ lack of deep playoff runs, he’ll bring knowledge and value. But could this also be a sign to the man in charge to get things going, or else?

Bednar has only taken the Avalanche past the second round once – albeit the one time they did get beyond it, they brought home the Stanley Cup. But with expectations sky high and the window open with star talent, Chris MacFarland and Joe Sakic could move on. They’ve shown they’re not afraid to make big moves and changes.

Should Dave Hakstol be received well and the Avs move on from Bednar, he could be the next head coach. While it’s an idea hard to imagine and actually believe, it could be something down the line.

Nonetheless, the 2023 Jack Adams Finalist will come to Colorado and look to revitalize and shock the systems of the Avalanche. It just might help them get over the hump.