Brett MacLean’s debut behind the Colorado Avalanche’s bench was a good one.
The power play, which had been struggling since exploding for four goals in the season opener, found the back of the net against the Pittsburgh Penguins. While the official stat line was 1-for-4, the bottom line is that the overall setup looked improved.
But the bottom line is that there is still plenty of work to do. The goal on Friday night helped the club’s power play climb to 13th in the league with a 20.7%.
But that’s not nearly good enough. The argument has always been that the Avalanche power play should be much better, considering the amount of talent on it.
And that’s the right argument.
There’s no reason to think that it should struggle as much as it does. Yes, MacLean’s debut seemed to have sparked something. But it’s hardly out of the woods. Until there’s a sign that something has fundamentally changed, things will pretty much remain the same.
MacLean offers something that Dave Hakstol didn’t
Dave Hakstol is one heck of a coach. So is MacLean. That’s why, if you assume that both Hakstol and MacLean are comparable in skill level, the difference between the two coaches boils down to the way the move happened.
It wasn’t the Avalanche that fired Hakstol amid a noticeable failure. It’s that the circumstances played out in such a way that there was a unique opportunity to make a chance.
And the Avalanche were wise to let the change happen.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do is not get in your own way.
Yes, Colorado could have denied Arizona State permission to speak to Hakstol. The organization could have said, “You have a contract here, so you’re not going anywhere.”
But then again, that would not have been the most professional thing to do. Denying permission to explore the opportunity at Arizona State would have limited Hakstol’s growth opportunities. Letting Hakstol go was a classy move, much like allowing Chris MacFarland to join a rival organization.
Avalanche made in-season coaching change with zero controversy
Those calling for a coaching change for the power play got what they wanted without any of the controversy. The Avalanche were able to shake up the power play without having to create any needless drama.
That’s why the timing of this entire move makes so much sense. And it also avoids making the situation a painful one.
Sure, the circumstances behind Hakstol’s hiring at Arizona State are tragic. But that’s why the program wanted someone like him to restore credibility and respectability.
And it simultaneously gave the Avalanche a way to wiggle out of something that wasn’t clearly working.
It may end up becoming a win-win for everyone.
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