Dan Bylsma to Lead Seattle Kraken, Aiming for Playoff Comeback in Team's Second Season

Monday, May 27th, 2024

The Seattle Kraken are set to introduce Dan Bylsma as their new head coach during a press conference on Tuesday.

Bylsma, who has spent the past two seasons as the head coach of the Kraken's AHL affiliate, will fill the role following Dave Hakstol's departure a month ago.

Hakstol managed to guide the team close to the Western Conference Finals and secured a Jack Adams Award nomination in the 2022-23 season. However, he was replaced after the Kraken missed the playoffs by a margin of 17 points.

Bylsma's objective will be to lead the NHL's 32nd franchise back to the playoffs for what would be their second appearance in four years.

The Kraken have joined six other NHL teams in appointing new coaches, with the San Jose Sharks being the only team yet to fill their coaching vacancy.

Bylsma began his NHL coaching career in 2009 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he won the Stanley Cup in his first year and took the team to six straight playoff appearances.

Following a brief tenure with the Buffalo Sabres, Bylsma spent three years as an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings before joining the Kraken's AHL team in the 2021-22 season.

Under his leadership, the Coachella Valley Firebirds reached the Calder Cup final in their debut season and advanced to the Western Conference finals this year.

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