Failed Flyers and Kraken coach Dave Hakstol gets a new NHL coaching job

This just in, the Colorado Avalanche have hired former Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol as their new assistant coach under Jared Bednar.

Hakstol will join assistant Nolan Pratt, Goaltending Coach Jussi Parkkila and Assistant/Video Coach Brett Heimlich on Bednar’s staff.

“Dave brings a wealth of knowledge and experience behind the bench and will be a great fit on Jared's staff,” said Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland. “He has an extensive coaching background with a lot of success and will be a valuable addition to our team.”

“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Avalanche,” said Hakstol. “This is a proud organization with a lot of talented players and a tremendous coaching staff led by Jared Bednar. 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. My family and I are also very much looking forward to being a part of this community and wonderful state of Colorado.”

Hakstol was most recently on an NHL bench when he was the first Head Coach of the Seattle Kraken, serving in that role from 2021-24. In those three seasons, the Kraken posted a 107-112-27 record and qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2022-23. That postseason, the team made it to the Second Round as a Wild Card on the heels of a 100-point campaign that made Hakstol a finalist for the 2023 Jack Adams Award. The Kraken improved by 19 wins and 40 standings points between seasons one and two with him as the bench boss. Hakstol spent the 2024-25 campaign as an Assistant Coach for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup.