Arizona State Nears Hiring Dave Hakstol

Arizona State is reportedly finalizing a deal to hire Dave Hakstol, a Colorado Avalanche assistant coach, as its hockey coach, although the university has not confirmed the move. The role is expected to be interim, but reports say Hakstol could take full control. He could join the Sun Devils as soon as this week. Colorado has granted him permission to speak with ASU and would need to replace him as an assistant and power-play coach. Hakstol has more than a decade of college coaching experience at North Dakota and has been an NHL head coach with the Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken. The reported move follows Arizona State placing head coach Greg Powers on administrative leave after defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed during an off-ice workout in August. Mayich's family says he remains in a coma, and an independent review is underway. The university has not confirmed the hire; whether the role stays interim and the review's outcome remain open.