The Seattle Kraken have parted ways with Head Coach Dave Hakstol. Hakstol was the only coach in the organization’s history.
The Kraken made the playoffs under Hakstol in 2022-23 where they made it to the second round as a wild card. The team has only been around since 2021-22. In 3 seasons, Dave Hakstol went 107-112-241 for a win percentage of .490.
After making the playoffs in 2022-23, the Seattle Kraken regressed in 2023-24. Jared McCann led the team with 29 goals, down from his team lead of 40 goals the prior season. March was particularly rough for the Kraken with the team recording a record of 4-8-2.
Despite posting a team-record point streak and team-record winning streak during the season, it wasn’t enough for Dave Hakstol to save his job. The Kraken have made the playoffs once in their three seasons of existence and will be looking to bounce back in the 2024-25 season.
Only Coach In Seattle Kraken History Is Gone
Dave Hakstol was hired before the start of the Seattle Kraken’s franchise in 2021. Previously, Hakstol was the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers from 2015-2018. No replacement has been named at this time by the team, and it’s possible they could promote one of Hakstol’s assistant coaches.
While the team made the playoffs in 2022-23 and shockingly upset the top-seed Colorado Avalanche, the team fell flat in 2023-24. The Kraken had a 34-35-13 record in 2023-24 after winning 46 games in 2022-23. There were bright spots including the team’s first-ever win in the 2024 Winter Classic and a team-record 9-game winning streak from December 2023 through January 2024.
The problem was the Kraken ranked near the bottom in every statistic as a team. The team was near the top offensively in every statistic in 2022-23, only to fall flat the next season. Injuries also took away much of the team’s consistency, and the team also had to rely on three goaltenders.
Kraken General Manager Ron Francis previously hinted that nobody’s job was safe. As they go into their first-ever head coaching search, the team will likely take its time to hire its next head coach. Various candidates for the job could be considered.
Seattle’s Job Might Be The Most Appealing
The Seattle Kraken will be joining their division rivals, the San Jose Sharks, in their search for a new head coach. The Sharks previously fired their head coach, David Quinn. You could argue that the Kraken’s job might be more appealing than the Sharks job this offseason.
For one, the San Jose Sharks job will be a total rebuild. They have the best odds for the top draft pick after clinching the worst record, but the Kraken are just a season removed from making the playoffs. For a reputable coach like Craig Berube or Gerard Gallant, the Seattle Kraken might be a more appealing job than what the Sharks job offers.
The roster is better off than the Sharks in the immediate future. Jared McCann and Vince Dunn are solid players. 2022 fourth-overall draft pick Shane Wright will be looking to make an impact next season. Joey Daccord is a solid goaltender who signed a two-year deal before the 2023-24 season, though the team would likely be wise to add a goaltender to replace Philip Grubauer.
The Seattle Kraken also has $26.460 million in cap space heading into the offseason. That gives them the flexibility to improve the roster this offseason just as big names like Sam Reinhart appear headed for free agency. The newest head coach for the team will be able to step into an ideal situation with a team that can get back into the playoffs sooner rather than later.
