Kraken terminates coach Dan Bylsma's tenure.
Fired! Dan Bylsma Out as Seattle Kraken's Head Coach
Swap out the man behind the bench, that's the deal with the Seattle Kraken as they bid adieu to Dan Bylsma after a season filled with underperformance.
"Dan's dedication and the vibe he brought to our organization can't be overstated, spanning over four years at the NHL and AHL levels," said Kraken general manager Ron Francis in a recent statement. "After conducting a thorough evaluation of the season, our objectives for the upcoming years, and our expectations, we've faced the tough reality to change course behind the bench. Dan is a stand-up guy and a well-respected coach. He played a pivotal role in the development of many aspiring prospects and was instrumental in the initial success we saw in Coachella Valley."
The Kraken's descent begun post Bylsma's arrival, relegating the team from its initial playoff run in 2023 with Dave Hakstol at the helm. Ending the 2022-2023 season with a 35-41-6 record for a mere 76 points, the team trailed the playoff cut by a hefty 20 points in the Western Conference. That's quite a drop compared to their 81 points from the previous season.
Bylsma, who climbed the ranks internally after leading the Coachella Valley Firebirds to two Calder Cup Finals, brings the Stanley Cup win of 2009 as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in 2011, to this move.
With Bylsma's termination, he now joins a league of recently ousted coaches - Greg Cronin from the Anaheim Ducks and Peter Laviolette from the New York Rangers, who were also shown the door post-season.
A slew of other coaches, including Jim Montgomery (Boston Bruins), Luke Richardson (Chicago Blackhawks), and John Tortorella (Philadelphia Flyers) also bid their farewells mid-season.
The Kraken's recent history points to a recurring pattern of playoff misses - just one playoff appearance in four seasons since their inception[1][2][3][4]. The organization invested in players like Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson during the offseason, yet those moves couldn't propel the team to playoff success, leading to the urgent need for new direction.
[1] Kraken Fire Daniel Bylsma as Head Coach
[2] Why Did the Seattle Kraken Fire Dan Bylsma?
[3] Seattle Kraken's Underperformance Leads to Dan Bylsma's Firing
[4] The Reality Behind Dan Bylsma's Seattle Kraken Coaching Stint
The Seattle Kraken have replaced Dan Bylsma as their head coach following a season marked by underperformance.
Bylsma, who previously led the Coachella Valley Firebirds to two Calder Cup Finals, was instrumental in the Kraken's initial success but was dismissed after a thorough evaluation of the season.
The team's performance took a downturn post Bylsma's arrival, with the Kraken trailing the playoff cut by a hefty 20 points in the Western Conference.
Bylsma, who won the Stanley Cup in 2009 as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins and was named coach of the year in 2011, now joins a list of recently ousted coaches in the NFL, American football, and sports in general.
The Kraken's recent history shows a recurring pattern of playoff misses, despite investments in players like Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson, leading to the urgent need for new direction.
