As the NHL’s inaugural season ends for the 2023-24 season, uncertainty looms over the future of Seattle Kraken’s coaching staff. Recent remarks made by the team’s general manager, Ron Francis, have sparked speculation and debate about the future of current Head Coach Dave Hakstol. With the Kraken in evaluation mode for both coaches and players, important decisions will be made that will shape the seasons to come.
The 2023-24 season was rocky for the Seattle Kraken, with many ups and downs. The Kraken roster was on a constant rotation of players out with injuries, which heavily impacted the team’s chemistry and contributed to their poor performance. Additionally, the Kraken also struggled with shooting and goal scoring, seeing a significant dip compared to the previous 2022-23 season.
“We were first in shooting percentage last year. This year, I think we were twenty-eighth. We were fourth in goals for last year, and this year we’re twenty-ninth,” Francis said, showcasing his disappointment during his end-of-season interview. “That’s an area we certainly have to look at and try to figure out why (scoring) didn’t happen.”
Over the past three seasons, Hakstol has led the Kraken to a 107-112-27 record. In their second year, the Kraken finished the season with 100 points and a spot in the playoffs, making it to game seven of the second round against the Dallas Stars. This year, they ended with 81 points and were officially eliminated from a chance in the playoffs during the first week of April. However, the team had fallen apart long before then, with a significant struggle in their offense and an eight-game losing streak.
Francis wouldn’t give a direct answer when asked about Hakstol’s status. “You’re going to read into that one way or the other, but this is the process we do every year, and that’s what we’re in right now.”
Sports journalist Elliotte Friedman shared his opinions on his podcast 32 Thoughts, stating that he doesn’t believe this is a “Ron Francis-type move.” However, if changes are made, Friedman speculates the franchise could be looking at Coachella Valley, the Krakens AHL affiliate team’s Head Coach, Dan Bylsma.
Bylsma was named head coach for Coachella Valley Firebirds when the team was created in 2022. He has eight seasons of NHL Head Coach experience, led the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup win in 2009, and has landed the Firebirds a spot in the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs, making him a successful potential candidate.
As the offseason unfolds and the Seattle Kraken’s coaching staff’s future is in question, fans are bracing themselves for potential changes that could redefine the franchise’s future. Whether it’s a continuation of Hakstol or the arrival of a new head coach, one thing is clear: a significant amount of work will be required for the Kraken to make a strong comeback next season.
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