Kraken fire head coach Dan Bylsma after 1 season, reportedly promote Jason Botterill to GM

The Seattle Kraken made some major changes on Monday, starting with the firing of coach Dan Bylsma after just one season with the team. Bylsma’s tenure ended on a disappointing note as the Kraken finished far out of playoff contention.

But the changes didn’t stop there. The Kraken are also expected to reassign longtime general manager Ron Francis and promote assistant Jason Botterill to take his place. This decision comes after the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

According to a source familiar with the decision, assistant GM Jason Botterill will be elevated to the role of GM, while assistant coach Jessica Campbell, the first woman to serve behind the bench in NHL history, will be retained. Campbell joined the team last season and still has a year left on her contract.

The Kraken took a step back under Bylsma’s leadership, finishing the season with a record of 35-41-6 for 76 points. This was a significant drop from the previous season, where they earned 81 points. After a thorough evaluation of the season and future expectations, the organization decided to make a change at the coaching position.

In a statement, Ron Francis thanked Dan Bylsma for his contributions to the team and acknowledged his role in developing young prospects and early success. Bylsma had previously coached the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds before being promoted to the NHL level.

This marks Bylsma’s third NHL head-coaching job, following a stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins where he won the Stanley Cup in 2009. He also had a brief tenure with the Buffalo Sabres from 2015-17 before joining the Kraken.

With Botterill taking over as GM, he will be tasked with finding a new coach and addressing the roster’s needs. Botterill previously served as the GM of the Buffalo Sabres from 2017-20, bringing valuable experience to his new role with the Kraken.

The changes in leadership come at a critical time for the Seattle Kraken as they look to regroup and improve heading into the next season. The team will be looking to make significant strides under Botterill’s guidance as they aim to compete at a higher level in the Western Conference.