Overview
- Hakstol is expected to depart his assistant role with the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday after the team granted him permission to negotiate and he is likely to join Arizona State for the Sun Devils’ next games in Lowell.
- Multiple reports say Colorado will fill Hakstol’s staff spot with Brett McLean, who is expected to arrive on Jared Bednar’s coaching staff before the Avalanche return to play on Friday.
- Sources report Hakstol plans to bring his own assistants to Tempe, with former NHL defenseman Matt Greene named as a likely hire, though those staff moves remain unconfirmed.
- Arizona State placed head coach Greg Powers and other staff on paid administrative leave after defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed during an Aug. 20 workout and the university is conducting internal, police, and independent external reviews.
- Hakstol’s decade-plus college record at North Dakota and NHL head-coaching experience make him a stabilizing choice that could affect player development and trigger short-term reputational and staffing shifts for both ASU and NHL clubs.