The Seattle Kraken have decided to part ways with coach Dan Bylsma after a single season. His release comes in the wake of yet another disappointing year where the team failed to secure a spot in the playoffs. This marks a consecutive absence from the playoffs for the Kraken, leading to a broader shake-up within the organizationโs framework.
There are developments beyond Bylsmaโs departure, with executive shifts anticipated at the Seattle Kraken. It is widely expected that Ron Francis, the teamโs long-standing general manager, will be repositioned within the organization. In an ensuing transition, assistant GM Jason Botterill is poised to assume the role of general manager. These changes have not been publicly confirmed as of yet, as they were disclosed through unnamed sources.
Under Bylsmaโs leadership, the Kraken experienced a downturn in performance. Following the departure of Dave Hakstol, who successfully guided the team to the playoffs during their inaugural campaign, the team struggled. They ended the season with a record of 35-41-6, accumulating 76 points. This positioned them far from the final playoff berth in the Western Conference, especially compared to the previous seasonโs tally of 81 points.
Ron Francis expressed gratitude for Bylsmaโs contributions, acknowledging the vigor that he brought to Seattleโs hockey environment over his four-year tenure at both the NHL and AHL levels. Francis appreciated Bylsmaโs involvement in nurturing young talent and contributing to the teamโs early successes, particularly in Coachella Valley. Despite these efforts, the organization felt it necessary to pursue a new direction on the coaching front.
Bylsma, known for his leadership with the American Hockey Leagueโs Coachella Valley Firebirds, took them to two successive Calder Cup Finals. In the past, he famously led the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup victory in 2009 and was honored with the Jack Adams Award in 2011. His coaching career has seen varied success, with prior tenures including two challenging seasons with the Buffalo Sabres between 2015 and 2017.
The recent firing positions Bylsma as the third NHL coach dismissed in quick succession, following similar actions taken by the Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers. Ron Francis, who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Kraken, received an extension of his contract last year following the teamโs journey to the second playoff round. As Jason Botterill steps into the GM role, he faces the task of identifying a new head coach and redefining a roster that currently lacks top-tier talent. This will be Botterillโs second appointment as a general manager, following his tenure with the Buffalo Sabres from 2017 to 2020.