After a poor season, the Seattle Kraken are changing at the top. First, the Kraken fired head coach Dan Bylsma after one season. Now, they are giving one of their top management personnel a promotion and bringing somebody from another team to fill his role. 

On Monday, the Kraken are elevating general manager Ron Francis to become the new team president and assistant general manager Jason Botterill to general manager, per E.J. Hradek of NHL Tonight. 

Francis has been the Kraken's general manager since their inaugural season in 2021. Botterill was the Sabres' general manager from 2017 to 2020. 

The Kraken are coming off a season in which they finished  35-41 and 7th in the Pacific Division. A series of struggles broadly defined their season. 

Key players (Jordan Eberle, Vince Dunn, and Yanni Gourde) battled injuries. The Kraken ranked 25th in power play conversion with 18.1. 

Goaltender Philipp Grubauer finished with a save percentage of.875, but had issues with consistency this year. The Kraken remain a young franchise searching for an identity and sustaining a roster. 

Despite these struggles, Kraken CEO Tod Leiwecke has no plans to rebuild the team from scratch. Instead, he is choosing to trust Francis to get the job. 

Now, with Francis as the top dog and Botterill coming in as the new GM, what does that mean for the future of the Kraken?

Can new management turn things around?

Article Continues Below
More Seattle Kraken News
Jamie Oleksiak and Lane Lambert
Why Kraken must trade Jamie Oleksiak in 2025 offseasonChristopher Hennessy ·
New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert coaches against during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at UBS Arena.
Kraken name new head coach after Dan Bylsma firingRexwell Villas ·
3-Best-Destinations-for-Kaapo-Kakko
3 best destinations for Kraken’s Kaapo Kakko in 2025 restricted free agencyRB Hayek ·
Seattle Kraken right wing Eeli Tolvanen (20) reacts to scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at Climate Pledge Arena.
Kraken rumors: The frontrunner to be Seattle’s next head coachBenjamin Adducchio ·
Nikolaj Ehlers in the center with logos for the Canadiens, Hurricanes and Kraken around him, Free Agents, NHL Free agenecy, Jets
3 best Nikolaj Ehlers destinations in 2025 NHL free agencyBryan Logan ·
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet gestures during a game against the Winnipeg Jets in the third period at Canada Life Centre.
NHL rumors: Flyers, Bruins, Kraken linked to former Canucks coachBenjamin Adducchio ·

The Kraken made these front-office moves to improve the team's performance, especially as an expansion franchise. 

Both Francis and Botterill have extensive backgrounds as players and executives. Francis played 23 NHL seasons with the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Botterill played 8 seasons with the Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames, Atlanta Thrashers, and Buffalo Sabres. 

Francis has a mixed record as general manager of the Kraken and Hurricanes. As GM of Carolina from 2014-2018, he made some strong draft picks and critical acquisitions. 

However, he was criticized for being too lenient on developing players. With the Kraken, he is credited with building the team from the bottom up and getting to the 2023 playoffs. 

Botterill has a solid record of success as the Penguins' general manager. He is highly regarded as the “key architect” behind the Penguins' Stanley Cup wins in 2009 and 2016. 

Botterill received less than flattering reviews during his time with the Sabres despite drafting 18 players. 

Their respective experiences with success and disappointment will surely make them an interesting combination.