Last summer the Colorado Avalanche parted ways with its long-time assistant coach Ray Bennett. The big reason was the failure of the power play to convert during the playoffs. Bennett’s measly 13.6 percent did not do the trick, and he had to fall on the grenade for the team. Fans had high expectations for Dave Hakstol, whom the Avs brought in to replace Bennett. It was a struggle to start and could look that way this fall.

Hakstol’s trend

Honestly, Hakstol exceeded my expectations during his first year with the Avalanche. Despite his 17.1 percent finish in the regular season, it was an improvement over his performance in his inaugural season with the Seattle Kraken. In Hakstol’ second season with Seattle, he improved the Kraken to 19.8 percent, taking them to the team’s first playoff appearance. In his third season as head coach, Hakstol once again increased the power play to 20.7 percent but failed to make the playoffs. His dismissal stemmed from missing the playoffs two out of three seasons. The Avalanche’s primary advantage is his year-two improvement trend.

What may help Colorado

I expect to see a two or three percent increase in the power-play conversion rate this season. This marks the second season Nathan MacKinnon and others will spend within the system. Another advantage will be Nazem Kadri will be with the team during training camp. Fans can expect Kadri to be on the top unit along with MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Martin Necas and Gabriel Landeskog. Adding Jaden Schwartz, who played two seasons under Hakstol, will help on the second unit for the Avs. Schwartz will be an excellent replacement for Valeri Nichushkin, who was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

It will be up to the players whether they want to succeed in the newer power play system. Hakstol has shown with every NHL team he has been with that the second year is better. Fans need to have faith. And it may seem like it could never work sometimes, the Avalanche will figure it out in the end.