The Seattle Kraken are on the brink of missing the playoffs for a third straight season. With a record of 32-34-11 and 75 points, they sit tied with the New York Rangers for the fourth-fewest points in the NHL.[1][2] The team has stumbled badly lately, dropping 10 of their last 11 games. Co-owner Tod Leiweke acknowledges the disappointment but remains optimistic about a turnaround.
Leiweke’s comments came amid major front-office news. The Kraken announced that president of hockey operations Ron Francis will depart at season’s end. This mutual decision highlights the organization’s push for change.
Dismal performance defines the 2026 campaign
Seattle’s season has been a rollercoaster, but mostly downward. Starting strong in some stretches, the Kraken faltered after the trade deadline. Their post-deadline record of 3-11-2 is the worst in the league.[3]
The Pacific Division has been unforgiving. Teams like the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks have pulled away, leaving Seattle scrambling. Recent losses, including a 2-5 defeat to Minnesota, underscore defensive lapses and inconsistent scoring.[1]
Goaltending has been a bright spot at times, but not enough. Backup netminders have stepped up, yet starters struggle with team support. Power play efficiency ranks near the bottom, converting under 18% of chances.
Fan frustration is mounting in Seattle. Attendance remains solid at Climate Pledge Arena, but calls for accountability grow louder. The third head coach in five seasons signals ongoing instability behind the bench.[2]
Leiweke put it bluntly: “It’s not acceptable.” The ownership group is demanding better alignment across the roster and staff.
Ron Francis era ends on a sour note
Ron Francis, a Hall of Famer and the franchise’s first GM, transitioned to president in 2023. His tenure saw the 2022-23 playoff run but little sustained success since.[4]
The departure is mutual, with Leiweke noting Francis appeared fatigued by front-office demands. Francis helped build the expansion draft core and secured key extensions. Yet, recent drafts and trades haven’t yielded impact players.
General manager Jason Botterill now takes the reins for big moves. Botterill, hired to steady the ship, faces pressure to deliver. The front office shakeup could signal more changes, including coaching staff.
Francis’s exit caps a 10-year involvement with Seattle. He leaves with credit for the early promise but blame for stagnation. As one report notes, the team extended him through 2026-27 before this dismal stretch.[4]
The hockey world watches closely. For more on Francis’s tenure, see the full announcement from ESPN.[2]
Cap space offers offseason hope
Seattle enters the summer with over $29 million in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly data.[2] This flexibility positions GM Botterill for aggressive free agency pursuits.
Past successes include signing Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour, both locked in through 2030-31. These moves added skill and leadership. However, luring elite talent to the Pacific Northwest has been challenging.
Botterill aims for a “prolific” window. Targets could include wingers with scoring punch or a top-pair defenseman. Restricted free agents and trades will also factor in.
The flat cap environment amplifies this advantage. Teams over the limit may dump salaries, creating buyout or trade opportunities. Check PuckPedia for detailed cap projections.[5]
Ownership backs the spending. Leiweke envisions leveraging Seattle’s market to attract stars weary of traditional hubs.
Prospects provide foundation for rebuild
The Coachella Valley Firebirds have secured an AHL playoff spot, boasting one of the league’s top farm systems. This pipeline offers hope amid NHL woes.
Top prospects like standout forwards and mobile blueliners are nearing readiness. The Firebirds’ success mirrors the 2022-23 NHL breakout.
Development camp this summer will be crucial. Integrating youth with veterans could accelerate contention. Leiweke sees this group as key to sustainability.
Unlike some rebuilding teams, Seattle avoids a full teardown. Core pieces like Stephenson and Montour anchor the lineup. Blending them with rookies is the challenge.
Injuries have hampered call-ups this year. Healthy returns and smart drafting position the Kraken well long-term.
Path to perennial contention
Leiweke’s vision is clear: no more fringe teams. “What we want to build is not a team that just sneaks into the playoffs,” he said. “We think what we should be building here is a team that’s a perennial playoff team.”[2]
The 2022-23 second-round run against Dallas proved the potential. “We saw the potential in year two,” Leiweke recalled. “It was incredible.”
Fixing the “out of alignment” elements starts now. Coaching searches, free-agent splashes, and prospect integration are priorities.
Western Conference parity means every point counts. Rivals like Vegas and Colorado set the bar high.
The offseason looms large. Success here could vault Seattle back into relevance.
As the final games wind down, focus shifts forward. With cap room, talent below, and resolve from ownership, the Kraken have the tools for revival. Fans await a return to that electric 2023 promise—what it means for the franchise hinges on execution this summer.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.