Report: Avalanche lose power play coach Dave Hakstol to Arizona State

The Colorado Avalanche will need a new power play coach.

And fans in the Mile High City won’t be too upset about it.

According to multiple reports, current Avs assistant Dave Hakstol is headed to Arizona State to be the new head coach for a program in turmoil and marred by tragedy

Update: Dave Hakstol will be the new Arizona State head coach. https://t.co/pdksAKOyej

— Mike McMahon (@MikeMcMahonCHN) October 12, 2026

Hakstol was hired by the Avalanche in July of 2025 after the team fired Ray Bennett following a frustrating first-round loss to the Dallas Stars.

Hakstol has a solid resume, including as the Seattle Kraken head coach for three seasons, but it never worked with the Avalanche.

Despite being loaded with talent on the power play, led by superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, Colorado finished 27th in the NHL during the 2025-26 regular season. The Avalanche scored on only 17.1 percent of their chances. For context, the Oilers scored 30.6 percent of the time, which was first in the NHL.

The opener this year looked like it might be different, with the Avalanche scoring four power play goals in a wild 8-4 victory over the Kings. But they haven’t found the back of the net with the man advantage in four games since. Right now, their power play conversion is 22.2 percent with a small sample size.

Colorado has not yet confirmed this report, but if / when it happens, the Avalanche will be in the market for a new assistant coach / power play coach.

The 3-2-0 Avs next play on Tuesday night in Dallas against the Stars.

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