In a move that underscores the Seattle Kraken's ongoing struggle for consistency, the franchise has parted ways with head coach Dan Bylsma after just one season at the helm. Announced on April 21, 2025, this decision marks the latest chapter in a turbulent coaching history for the Kraken, who are now on the lookout for their third head coach in as many seasons.
The Kraken's performance this past season was disappointing, finishing with a record of 35-41-6, which placed them sixth-worst in the NHL and 20 points shy of a playoff spot. This regression came on the heels of a promising 2022-23 season where the team reached the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs with a strong 100-point finish. The stark contrast in performance has prompted a reevaluation of the team's direction.
General Manager Ron Francis, who has been with the organization since its inception, expressed gratitude towards Bylsma in an official statement. “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. “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.”
Bylsma’s tenure was marked by a number of challenges, including injuries that plagued key players like Jordan Eberle and Yanni Gourde, resulting in a staggering 86 games lost to injury. Additionally, the team struggled significantly in crucial areas such as power play efficiency, ranking 23rd in the league at 19.9 percent, and penalty killing, where they stood at 21st with a 77.2 percent success rate. The Kraken also faced difficulties in back-to-back games, going 0-for-12 in those situations.
Despite his previous success, including a Stanley Cup victory with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 and a Jack Adams Award for Coach of the Year in 2011, Bylsma could not replicate that success in Seattle. His coaching style was appreciated by players, with Chandler Stephenson noting, “He’s coached a lot. He’s been around for a long time, and it’s nice to have a coach that is a human being first, and not a coach first.”
Following Bylsma's dismissal, the Kraken announced a significant shift in their front office structure. Francis has been promoted to president of hockey operations, while assistant general manager Jason Botterill will step into the role of general manager. This change reflects the organization's commitment to building a competitive team capable of sustaining playoff appearances.
Owner Samantha Holloway emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “What we would like to be is a sustained playoff team.” The Kraken have only qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs once in their four-year history, and this latest coaching change is part of a broader strategy to enhance the team's competitiveness.
Botterill, who has been with the Kraken since their inaugural season in 2021, is tasked with finding a new head coach and improving a roster that is currently lacking elite talent. He acknowledged the need for a system that better utilizes the team's strengths, saying, “We have to continue to improve and add to our skill level in all areas.”
While the Kraken have a promising future with 10 picks across the first two rounds of the next three drafts and several nearly NHL-ready prospects, the path to becoming a playoff contender appears challenging. Botterill indicated that both trades and buyouts may be necessary to reshape the roster, particularly with several high-salary players under contract.
As the Kraken look to bounce back from a disappointing season, the retention of assistant coach Jessica Campbell, the first woman to hold a coaching position on an NHL bench, signals a commitment to diversity within the coaching staff. Campbell's future, along with the rest of the coaching staff, will be discussed in an upcoming meeting with Francis.
The Kraken's recent changes come amid a broader trend in the NHL, where teams are making swift coaching decisions in hopes of reversing fortunes. Bylsma's firing follows similar moves by the Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers, both of whom have also made coaching changes in recent days.
As the Kraken prepare for the off-season, the focus will be on establishing a new identity and culture that can lead to sustained success. With Francis and Botterill at the helm, the franchise is poised for a pivotal summer, one that will shape the future of the organization and its quest for a Stanley Cup.
The Kraken's commitment to improvement is clear, but whether these changes will translate into success on the ice remains to be seen. The upcoming months will be crucial as they seek to build a team that can not only compete but thrive in the highly competitive NHL landscape.
