Former Flyers Coach Suddenly Departs the NHL

Former Philadelphia Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol is leaving his role as an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche to become the interim head coach at Arizona State University. According to a report by Brad Elliott Schlossman of The Grand Forks Herald, Hakstol is expected to step down from the Avalanche following their game against the Dallas Stars. Colorado granted Arizona State permission to negotiate with Hakstol earlier in the week.

Hakstol replaces Greg Powers, who was placed on paid administrative leave amid an investigation into a workout that left defenseman Matthew Mayich on life support. Hakstol previously coached the Flyers, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Seattle Kraken after an 11-season tenure leading the University of North Dakota, and he joined the Avalanche as an assistant in 2025.