Dave Hakstol, Flyers coach
When: Wednesday, 8 p.m.; the Avalanche hosts Philadelphia.
What’s up: In his second year as an NHL coach, Hakstol has the Flyers flying high, having won seven consecutive games entering Saturday’s contest against the visiting Dallas Stars.
Background: Hakstol is well known in Denver hockey circles. He joined the Flyers before last season after an 11-year stint with the University of North Dakota, the DU Pioneers’ chief rival. Hakstol became the first head coach to jump directly from the NCAA to NHL since “Badger” Bob Johnson went from the University of Wisconsin to the Calgary Flames in 1982. Philadelphia made the playoffs last season with a 41-27-11 record and currently sits in postseason position. By all accounts, Hakstol — hired by Flyers GM Ron Hextall, whose son, Brett, played for Hakstol at UND — is an NHL success story.
Chambers’ take: It won’t take as long for the next NCAA coach to immediately become an NHL bench boss. Hakstol reinvigorated the idea, and I believe DU’s Jim Montgomery will follow suit. Montgomery interviewed with the Flames to replace the fired Bob Hartley last summer, and his name has come up with the expansion Vegas Golden Knights. It makes sense for the Knights to go with NHL experience, but Montgomery will be considered. I’ve never seen another coach get more out of his players. Montgomery’s four DU teams have dramatically improved over the season and been in position to win the national title. His current squad is ranked No. 2 nationally and took a 15-game unbeaten streak into Saturday’s game against No. 1 Minnesota Duluth, which fell 4-3 to the Pioneers on Friday. DU will ultimately lose Montgomery, but only to the NHL team that names him head coach.