Kraken fire coach Dan Bylsma after one season

NHL: Seattle Kraken at San Jose SharksNov 29, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Seattle Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma watches the play against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

The Seattle Kraken fired head coach Dan Bylsma on Monday after one season on the job.

In addition, Kraken general manager Ron Francis will transition to a new role as team president and assistant GM Jason Botterill will be elevated to general manager, The Athletic reported.

Bylsma, 54, spent two seasons as the coach of the Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, before being promoted to lead the NHL club in May 2024 when Dave Hakstol was let go.

“We thank Dan for his commitment and the energy he brought to our organization over the past four years at the NHL and AHL levels,” Francis said in a release. “After a thorough review of the season and our expectations for next year and beyond, we’ve made the difficult decision to move in a different direction behind the bench. Dan is a great person and a respected coach. He played an important role in the development of many of our young prospects and was a big part of our early success in Coachella Valley. We sincerely wish him and his family nothing but success moving forward.”

Bylsma was best known for taking over the Pittsburgh Penguins midway through the 2008-09 season and guiding them to the 2009 Stanley Cup.

In his lone season at the helm in Seattle, the Kraken went 35-41-6 and missed the playoffs. In parts of nine seasons with the Penguins (2008-14), Buffalo Sabres (2015-17) and Kraken, Bylsma has a 355-231-61 record as a head coach.

Francis, 62, was a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee as a player and was named the expansion Kraken’s first general manager in 2019 after spending time as an executive with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Botterill, 48, served as the general manager of the Sabres from 2017-20. He had worked in Seattle’s front office since January 2021.

–Field Level Media

Related Posts

Senators out to curtail power-play woes in Game 2 vs. Maple Leafs

Apr 20, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16) checks Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson (85) during the second period of game one of the first…

Read more

PARIVISION, Team Spirit go 3-0 in PGL Wallachia Season 4 group stage

Nov 5, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Fans react during the League of Legends World Championships between T1 and DRX at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images PARIVISION…

Read more

Reports: Padres’ Luis Arraez placed on 7-day concussion IL

Apr 20, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA;San Diego Padres designated hitter Luis Arraez (4) lies on the field after colliding with Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) (not pictured )on…

Read more

Caroline Hedwall, Mel Reid named Solheim Cup vice captains

Sep 6, 2021; Toledo, Ohio, USA; Mel Reid of Team Europe poses for a photo with the Solheim Cup after defeating Team USA during competition rounds of the Solheim Cup…

Read more

Browns sign free agent CB Nik Needham

Dec 3, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders tight end Cole Turner (85) is tackled by Miami Dolphins cornerback Nik Needham (40) during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit:…

Read more

Game 2 Likely to Decide Los Angeles Lakers’ Fate After Game 1 Rout

Last season, the Minnesota Timberwolves heard how they had no chance of beating the Phoenix Suns in their first-round series. Minnesota swept the Suns and then sent the defending NBA…

Read more

Leave a Reply