Dave Hakstol hired as an assistant coach by the Toronto Maple Leafs

Dave Hakstol hired by the Toronto Maple LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs have rounded out their coaching staff with the hiring of Dave Hakstol as their assistant coach to replace the departed DJ Smith.

With Paul McFarland presumably running the power play as the Jim Hiller replacement, Hakstol will likely take over the penalty kill and defense pairs from Smith.

This is certainly a decision that will leave some scratching their heads based on Hakstol’s track record with the Flyers, although there is a substantial difference between running a bench as the HC and complementing Mike Babcock in an assistant’s role. Hakstol was a highly successful college coach in North Dakota who made the jump…