Since Seattle Kraken joined the NHL, questions have surrounded how they build teams and handle business. From the expansion draft to the last offseason, Claken was seen as a team that might be better, but they determined the long road to success.
Even though they made their second round of playoff appearances in the 2023 playoffs, Kraken always does things differently. Things look like they are heading in the right direction, but after losing the back-to-back season of the playoffs, they think more changes are needed.
Seattle Cleken announced a change in coaching. Less than a year after succeeding Dave Hakstol, Kraken continued from Dan Bylsma.
Hearing Seattle Kraken is changing the coach.
Dan Bylsma will be let go…and a full search will begin.
– Elliotte Friedman (@friedgehnic) April 21, 2025
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In addition to firing BYLSMA, the team promoted current general manager Ron Francis within the organization and made new assistant general manager Jason Botterill.
Hearing that the sea office changes too. Ron Francis Jason Botterill New GM to serve as team president
– Arthur Staple (@StapeThletic) April 21, 2025
These are interesting moves for a team that does not expect this season’s playoffs. Bylsma replaced Hakstol because Francis thought they needed a new sound. Recall that Byslma brought the Coachella Valley Firebirds to the Calder Cup final before the promotion. He brought Jessica Campbell to the NHL. She was retained as an assistant coach. The firing of another coach a year later showed that Seattle Cleken needed a new direction in their front desk.
“We thank Dan for the commitment he has brought to our organization at the NHL and AHL levels over the past four years and the energy he has brought to our organization,” Kraken General Manager Ron Francis said in a statement. “After a thorough review of the season and what we expect next year and beyond, we made the tough decision to move in a different direction behind the bench. Dan is a great man and respected coach. He played a big role in the development of many young prospects and was a big part of our early success at Coachella Valley, besides his success and his family.”
Nighthat review?
Seattle isn't that sleepy in Seattle…Claken conducts coaching and front desk moves #seakraken #NHL pic.twitter.com/ypimsdy51i
— Jim Burlinger (@jimbiringer) April 21, 2025
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Teams like Seattle should not fire coaches year after year. That's what Buffalo Saber has to do. Both teams wonder why they didn’t make it to the playoffs. There are speculations that Ron Francis may not have been in general manager for a full five years. Many believe that the GM changes will happen, especially after contracts with Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson.
Bylsma has done a great job with young players, including 2022 first-round pick Shane Wright and newly acquired forward Kaapo Kakko. This season, Heyrek performed well under Bylsma. But when Francis is not eligible for Morgan Geekie or Daniel to appear after he enters the playoffs in 2023, many people want to know what he is doing.
Now, the search for a full-time coach will begin. This would be a thorough search. But coaching isn't the only problem in Seattle. Roster construction is another issue, they need to bring the right pieces to the gel to get back to the playoffs. But Cracon needs to start moving in the right direction or they may fall into the Buffalo Saber territory.
Teams like Seattle aren't going to fall into rebuilding mode, and Utah is getting closer to the playoffs. We all know what the Vegas Golden Knights have done in their first five seasons. It is unfair to compare Seattle to Vegas, but Claken needs to return to the playoffs. Otherwise, they may be trapped at the bottom for a long time.
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