SEATTLE — The Seattle Kraken announced Monday afternoon it fired head coach Dan Bylsma, after just one season leading the team.
Under Bylsma, the Kraken missed the postseason and earned 76 points in the 2024-25 season, tied for the fourth-fewest total in the National Hockey League (NHL). After firing Dave Hakstol last season, Seattle earned fewer points with Bylsma at the helm.
“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,” said Ron Francis, Kraken general manager. “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 joined the Kraken organization in its inaugural season when he was named assistant coach of AHL Charlotte, a minor league team split between Seattle and the Florida Panthers. He also led the Coachella Valley Firebirds to the Western Conference championship and within one Game 7 overtime goal of winning the AHL’s Calder Cup.
The longtime coach debuted as an NHL head coach in 2009, leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to win the Stanley Cup against the Detroit Red Wings. The Penguins made the playoffs in each of Bylsma’s six seasons in charge.
The front office viewed Bylsma as the ideal head coach candidate based on his NHL experience and his knowledge of the Kraken organization.
Bylsma, a former player with experience with the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, is the fastest NHL head coach to reach 200 regular-season wins.
In addition to the coaching shakeup, Seattle announced an organizational realignment. General manager Ron Francis will be the team president, while Jason Botterill, the assistant general manager last season, is set to be the general manager.
Assistant coach Jessica Campbell will also remain on the coaching staff, the Kraken confirmed Monday.
