It's official, Ron Francis is out as Seattle Kraken GM

UPDATE 2: It's official, the Seattle Kraken have promoted GM Ron Francis to President and have replaced him with assistant GM Jason Botterill as the team's new general manager.

This, of course, is a common tactic among teams who want to make a change but who are also wary of firing a living legend. Such is the case for Francis, a Hall of Famer with an incredible wealth of experience. He'll no doubt provide the team with value at the President position.

As for Botterill, this is his second kick at the can as an NHL general manager. He was previously GM of the Buffalo Sabres from 2017 until 2020 during a particularly tumultuous time for the Sabres franchise. Then again... when haven't the Sabres been experiencing tumultuous times?

Botterill was hired by Francis as the Kraken's assistant GM back in 2021.

UPDATE: After NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported earlier today that the Seattle Kraken have fired head coach Dan Bylsma, fellow NHL insider Frank Seravalli is now reporting that the team is also moving on from GM Ron Francis.

From Seravalli:

Don't be surprised if the team cleans house of their entire coaching and management staff.

Read below for our earlier report on Bylsma's dismissal and what it could mean for the NHL's first female assistant coach Jessica Campbell.

This just in, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reports that the Seattle Kraken have fired head coach Dan Bylsma after just one season.

Bylsma was promoted to the Kraken after two seasons with the team's AHL affiliate Coachella Valley Firebirds and, of course, with a lengthy NHL track record. Sure, the Kraken came up short of a playoff spot this season but it's surprising to me that GM Ron Francis has given up on Bylsma so quickly. To be frank, I don't think many people saw this squad as a playoff team given their on-ice personnel. And that's a responsibility that falls on Francis, not on Bylsma or any of the team's coaching staff.

It's also worth noting that the Kraken promoted assistant coach Jessica Campbell along with Bylsma, making her the NHL's first female coach on the bench. It'll be interesting to see if she survives this firing and if she's considered for the head coaching position. Buckle up, it's been a bumpy ride with GM Ron Francis at the wheel and things figure to get even bumpier this offseason.