Dave Hakstol’s time with the Avalanche could be coming to an end almost as soon as it began.
According to reports, Colorado’s assistant coach is finalizing a deal to become the interim head coach at Arizona State, a move that would pull him out of the Avalanche’s bench plans while the team keeps searching for answers on the power play.
Arizona State spokesperson Jay Thorne told The Hockey News via text message that the university expected to announce an interim head coach within the week. Thorne did not confirm or deny Hakstol’s involvement, though he said speculation around the hire was “flying.”
Elliotte Friedman also reported that the Avalanche gave Arizona State permission to speak with Hakstol, and that negotiations were ongoing.
Hakstol came to Colorado in July 2025, after the Avalanche moved on from Ray Bennett following a seven-game first-round playoff loss to the Dallas Stars. In that series, Colorado scored on just three of 21 power play chances.
He was brought in to help fix that issue, arriving with a long NHL résumé that included three seasons as head coach of the Seattle Kraken. But the Avalanche have not yet seen the turnaround they were hoping for.
Before the season, Jared Bednar pointed to a lack of speed in last year’s power-play groups and made clear improvement was a priority. Colorado gave itself a strong early jolt by going 4-for-4 on the power play in an 8-4 season-opening win over the Los Angeles Kings, but that momentum has faded quickly. The Avalanche have now gone four straight games without a power-play goal and are 0-for-12 in that stretch.
Even with the report swirling, Hakstol was at Avalanche practice on Monday.
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Dave Hakstols stint on the Avalanche staff appears to be ending after one season, with the former Colorado assistant expected to take over as the new head coach at Arizona State. His departure comes as ASU continues to navigate a messy and unsettling situation surrounding the program, with head coach Greg Powers on administrative leave while investigations continue into the collapse of player Matthew Mayich during off-season workouts.
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Avalanche Lose A Key Coach As Power Play Questions Keep Growing
Dave Hakstols brief stay on the Avalanche bench is ending after one season, with the veteran coach set to move on from Colorados staff. Hakstol, who came to the Avalanche after previously serving as head coach of the Seattle Kraken, brought a rsum built on experience behind the bench and a presence the organization had counted on as it tried to keep its coaching structure stable.
For Colorado, the timing adds another layer to a power play that has already been under scrutiny lately. The club has not announced a replacement, leaving an important piece of the staff picture unsettled as the Avalanche sort through what Hakstols exit means for a unit that needed help before this news broke. [Read more 🡒]