The Seattle Kraken have decided to move on from head coach Dan Bylsma after only one season behind the bench. The team made the announcement on Monday, making Bylsma the latest NHL coach to be let go after the 2024-25 season.
A Disappointing Season for the Kraken
Bylsma’s time with the Kraken didn’t go as planned. Seattle finished the season with a 35-41-6 record, earning a points percentage of just .463 — their lowest since their debut season in 2021-22. After a strong playoff run in 2022-23, the team failed to qualify for the post-season this year.
General Manager Ron Francis shared a statement following the news:
“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,” he said. “After a full review of the season and our goals for the future, we’ve made the tough decision to make a change.”
No Replacement Named Yet
The Kraken have not yet named a new head coach. However, reports from ESPN suggest that changes may be coming in the front office too. Assistant GM Jason Botterill could be promoted to General Manager, while Ron Francis would continue in a higher role. Meanwhile, assistant coach Jessica Campbell, the first woman to be a full-time assistant in the NHL, is expected to stay with the coaching staff.
Bylsma’s Coaching Journey
Dan Bylsma came to the Kraken after replacing former coach Dave Hakstol, who led the team through its first three seasons. Bylsma had impressed at the AHL level, coaching the Coachella Valley Firebirds to back-to-back Calder Cup finals in 2023 and 2024, though they lost both times to the Hershey Bears.
Bylsma’s NHL coaching career includes some major highlights. He won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 and earned the Jack Adams Award as the league’s best coach in 2011. Over his career, Bylsma has coached 647 NHL games with a record of 355 wins, 231 losses, and 61 overtime losses. He also has a playoff coaching record of 43-35.
More NHL Coaching Changes This Offseason
The Kraken are not the only team making changes. Three other NHL teams have already fired their coaches:
- The Anaheim Ducks parted ways with Greg Cronin
- The New York Rangers fired Peter Laviolette on April 19
- The Philadelphia Flyers let go of John Tortorella on March 27 and named Brad Shaw as interim coach
This offseason is clearly shaping up to be a busy one for front offices across the league.
Dan Bylsma’s short stint with the Seattle Kraken has come to an end, and the team now faces the challenge of finding a new head coach who can guide them back into the playoff picture. With changes expected both on the bench and possibly in the front office, Seattle fans can expect an eventful summer. As the NHL coaching carousel continues to spin, all eyes will be on who steps behind the Kraken bench next.
