The Seattle Kraken have made sweeping changes after a disappointing season, firing head coach Dan Bylsma just one year after his appointment and promoting Jason Botterill to general manager, with Ron Francis moving up to team president.
Bylsma, who previously led the Coachella Valley Firebirds to two AHL finals and won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins, couldn’t turn things around for Seattle. The Kraken finished with a 35-41-6 record, landing second-to-last in the Pacific Division and missing the playoffs by a wide margin. This marks the second consecutive year the Kraken have parted ways with their head coach, following Dave Hakstol’s exit last season.
Botterill, who served as assistant GM since, now takes the reins as general manager. He brings NHL GM experience from his time with the Buffalo Sabres and two Stanley Cups as an assistant GM in Pittsburgh. His promotion comes as the Kraken look to reset after three losing seasons in four years.
With a new GM and a search for the next head coach underway, the Kraken’s offseason is set to be one of the most pivotal in franchise history. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see what direction the team takes next.
