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Maple Leafs name ex-Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol to staff

Former Philadelphia Flyers bench boss Dave Hakstol on Saturday was named an assistant to Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock. One-time Florida assistant coach Paul McFarland also joined the Toronto staff last month.

Toronto GM Kyle Dubas also re-signs goalie Hutchinson, defenceman Marincin

Doug Harrison · CBC Sports ·
The Maple Leafs on Saturday rounded out their bench staff, hiring former Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol, who guided Philadelphia to the playoffs twice in three seasons. (Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press/File)

General manager Kyle Dubas took a break from the Mitch Marner contract talks to round the Toronto Maple Leafs' bench staff on Saturday.

Former Philadelphia Flyers bench boss Dave Hakstol, 50, will work under Leafs head coach Mike Babcock.

"I look forward to building relationships with the players and getting to work with the entire group."

Hakstol was fired by the Flyers in mid-December with the team in the midst of a four-game losing skid and 10 points out of playoff position.

Former Philadelphia GM Ron Hextall hired Hakstol in May 2015, a coach with no NHL experience from Drayton Valley, Alta., out of the University of North Dakota and watched him guide the Flyers to a 42-26-14 mark last season and two playoff appearances in three years that were followed by first-round exits.

2-time WCHA coach of the year

At North Dakota, Hakstol compiled a mark of 289-143-43 and guided the Fighting Hawks to four Western Collegiate Hockey Association championships and seven Frozen Four appearances.

He was named conference coach of the year in 2009 and 2015 and an eight-time finalist for national coach of the year honours.

Last month, the Maple Leafs added one-time Florida Panthers assistant coach Paul McFarland of Richmond Hill, Ont., for the same role.

The 33-year-old spent three seasons as head coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Kingston Frontenacs (2014-17), amassing a 111-71-22 record.

Depth signings

Also Saturday, Toronto announced the signing of goalie Michael Hutchinson and defenceman Martin Marincin to one-year contracts worth $700,000 US.

Goaltender Michael Hutchinson has re-signed with the Maple Leafs for one year and $700,000 after posting a 3.27 goals-against average and .887 save percentage in nine games (eight starts) this past season. (Nathan Denette/Associated Press)
Hutchinson, 29, was acquired last Dec. 29 from Florida and posted a 3.27 goals-against average and .887 save percentage in nine games (eight starts) with the Maple Leafs.

The Barrie, Ont., native is 95-46-43 with a 2.70 GAA and .908 save percentage in 111 NHL regular-season contests for Winnipeg, Florida and the Maple Leafs.

Marincin, a 27-year-old depth defenceman, had a goal and five points in 24 games with the Maple Leafs this past season.

Drafted by Edmonton in the second round in 2010, he has appeared in 201 NHL regular-season games.

On Friday, the Maple Leafs signed pending restricted free-agent wingers Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson to contract extensions.

Fellow RFA Marner, who led the team with 94 points this past season, remains unsigned with NHL free agency set to open Monday at 12 p.m. ET.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Doug Harrison

Doug Harrison has covered the professional and amateur scene as a senior writer for CBC Sports since 2003. Previously, the Burlington, Ont., native covered the NHL and other leagues for Faceoff.com. Follow the award-winning journalist @harrisoncbc

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