Well, I stand corrected. That’s definitely more recent examples than I could recall off the top of my head. Well played sir. This hire still feels weird to me & completely out of left field.

I still wouldn’t feel too comfortable if I were Bednar. I don’t see any scenario barring a litany of injuries or some crazy circumstances. That if they get bounced in the first or 2nd round again that he keeps his job.

That’s not entirely true. Lane Lambert joined Toronto’s bench last year before landing a HC job elsewhere this summer. Hakstol was also in Toronto before landing the Seattle job. Dan Bylsma spent years as an associate coach for Jeff Blashill in Detroit but never replaced him. This happens way more than you think. Teams love hiring past head coaches as assistants because they bring a different voice/opinion to the table. It doesn’t always mean they’re next up for the job or that the head coach is being alerted that his job is in jeopardy.

Also, Tampa Bay just hired Derek Lalonde as an assistant, it doesn’t mean Cooper’s job is being threatened any more or less.

Believe what you choose to believe. I’m sure Bednar was consulted after they basically made their choice. History backs up, when a team brings in an experienced NHL head coach. Who has no direct ties or affiliation to the current front office or head coach. It’s usually done with an eye on the future.

I could be wrong. But you’d be extremely naive not to look at this & not raise an eyebrow at the very least. They could’ve promoted Hinote or Aaron Schneekloth from within like most teams do with assistants & they chose not to.
Bednar isn’t untouchable. The guy has been out of the 2nd round once. With generational talent on the roster his whole tenure. If not for them winning the cup in 22, he’d already had been let go. Too many playoff failures otherwise to justify keeping him. Those are the optics. Fair or not.

Expansion teams until Vagas came along have taken years to become competitive. The expansion team Vegas was able to field was the first selected in the moneyball analytics era and took everyone by surprise. The Vegas management team used the rules to their advantage brilliantly, the players they selected had chemistry and their success was an unrepeatable anamoly. A lot of folks thought Vegas played the system and also put a lot more thought into how they protected players in the Kraken expansion.
I don’t think Hakstol’s Kraken should be judged against Vegas’s success and think that if you are going to rob other teams staff the Vegas scouts are who you should look to filch.

It’s hard to imagine Bednar would not have had significant input into the hiring of his primary assistant coach. Hiring an AC who is a possible rival for the HC job would undermine the HC with the team.
If the front office wants an HC to perform better and/or differently they relay the message in private and set the HC up for success in relaying a unified message. There is no management philosophy that suggests that mixed messages from a divided coaching staff will win a cup.
They hired Hakstol because they think he has something to offer that will improve the Av’s chances and not as a message to Bednar.

I said he may work as an assistant. He had a national power program at UND and didn’t do anything to stand out in Philly. Seattle had 1 decent season and took advantage of an Avs team that lost interest in the effort it takes to win postseason. My guess is we got ourselves an overpriced assistant but if we win he can be hailed as the genius move.

What’s with all the Hakstol hate? I’m not advocating that he’s a good head coach. Don’t know enough about his tenures. But looking at his two stops. Philly was starting to become a dumpster fire. And one would have to say he overachieved in Seattle, at least initially with what he had to work with.

Lol..or what Kevyn Adams says to himself every morning when he looks in the mirror. Glad someone got the reference!

LOL!

“It’s not a lie if you believe it”
– George Castanza

Because his skill set isn’t particularly unique. Not saying that he wouldn’t be a good addition but there’s going to be additional bottom 6 players available in the next 2 months as teams trim their rosters. He likely isn’t going to get signed quickly so why not wait when you’ll have your pick?