Ron Francis Out as Kraken President After Three Straight Seasons Missing the Playoffs

The Seattle Kraken are cleaning house. After finishing another season outside the playoff picture, Ron Francis is stepping down as president of hockey operations. The decision was mutual, the team announced, and it marks the end of an era for the franchise that Francis literally built from scratch seven years ago.

"Ron and I agreed that this is the right moment to make a thoughtful transition for both Ron and the organization, and move in a new direction," Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke said. "From a small office in Lower Queen Anne to the 32nd NHL franchise, Ron's leadership and vision were instrumental in building this franchise from the ground up."

From Glory Days to Freefall

Here's the brutal part: Francis actually built something special early on. The Kraken made the playoffs in their second season (2022-23), upset the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in the first round, and suddenly the future looked bright. The franchise had extended his contract through 2026-27 not long after that playoff run. The foundation seemed solid.

Then it all fell apart. Since returning from the Olympic break at Milan-Cortina, the Kraken have dropped 16 of 21 games. With five games left to play, Seattle is tied for the fourth-fewest points in the entire 32-team NHL. They entered the break in a playoff spot but flamed out almost immediately. Ten losses in their last 11 games tells you everything you need to know about the collapse.

The Architect's Legacy and the Questions That Remain

Francis, 63, was named the Kraken's first general manager way back on July 17, 2019. He oversaw the 2021 expansion draft, helped hire Dave Hakstol as the team's first coach, and shepherded the franchise through its first three seasons. When he moved into the president role last summer, assistant GM Jason Botterill took over as GM and will stay in that position.

But the questions linger. Francis never landed a star player to build around. None of the Kraken's first-round draft picks at forward have developed into franchise cornerstones. The aging expansion-draft core, patched together with modest free agents and trades, simply couldn't generate enough offense. Adding salt to the wound, players the team let walk away have found success elsewhere.

Lane Lambert is now the Kraken's third coach in three years. The experiment that looked so promising two seasons ago has become a cautionary tale about the challenges of building in hockey's salary cap era.

"It has been an honor to help launch and lead the Seattle Kraken over the past seven years," Francis said. "I am proud of the culture we built, the people we brought together, and the milestones we achieved, including our historic first playoff run."

With five games left, the Kraken season is essentially a formality. The real work begins now: finding the next architect to get this franchise back on track.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.