The Seattle Kraken finished with 76 points this season, compared to the Utah Hockey Club's 89. (Rob Gray-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/05c8c406-8eda-45e6-865f-8066b2303943.jpeg] The Seattle Kraken finished with 76 points this season, compared to the Utah Hockey Club's 89. (Rob Gray-Imagn Images) Big changes are already afoot for the Seattle Kraken. After missing the playoffs for the second straight season, they fired coach Dan Bylsma [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/latest-news/kraken-relieve-dan-byslma-of-head-coaching-tasks-will-begin-a-full-search] and promoted Ron Francis to president [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/latest-news/breaking-news-seattle-kraken-announce-leadership-changes-jason-botterill-promoted-to-gm], replacing him as GM with former assistant GM Jason Botterill. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/what-should-new-kraken-gm-botterill-do-to-avoid-a-repeat-of-his-results-in-buffalo] The Seattle Kraken already got cracking with off-season moves. What's next? The Bylsma firing comes almost a year after the Kraken handed former bench boss Dave Hakstol his walking papers. Kate Shefte of The Seattle Times listed [https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/kraken/who-could-replace-fired-kraken-coach-dan-bylsma-heres-an-early-list/] several potential candidates to fill the vacant coaching position. Former New York Rangers coach Peter Laviolette was one, though she suggested that could create a conflict with Kaapo Kakko [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/latest-news/kraken-retaining-jessica-campbell-shows-faith-in-early-positive-signs#:~:text=Kaapo%20Kakko%20blossomed%20following%20the%20trade.]. The 24-year-old RFA was traded to Seattle by the Rangers after struggling to garner ice time under Laviolette. Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet was also on Shefte's list. The 2024 Jack Adams Award winner's future remains uncertain [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/canucks-patrik-allvin-and-jim-rutherford-speak-on-rick-tocchets-contract-practice-facilities-and-ticket-prices] as he considers whether to sign a contract extension with the Canucks. Tocchet could become the hottest free-agent coach available, making it challenging for the Kraken to outbid other teams for his services. Before the coaching and front-office changes occurred, Shefte's colleague Matt Calkins looked at what the Kraken must do this summer [https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/kraken/what-seattle-kraken-must-accomplish-this-offseason-to-regain-relevance/] to regain relevance. Calkins suggested they leverage their draft capital to acquire one or two true scoring forwards. They have five first-round picks and five second-rounders over the next three drafts [https://puckpedia.com/team/seattle-kraken] to draw on for trade bait. What Should New Kraken GM Botterill Do To Avoid A Repeat Of His Results In Buffalo? [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/991d90a9-e74d-45be-9b3f-f9af61788082.jpeg] What Should New Kraken GM Botterill Do To Avoid A Repeat Of His Results In Buffalo? The Seattle Kraken hope a former Buffalo Sabres GM will help them reach perennial playoff status. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/what-should-new-kraken-gm-botterill-do-to-avoid-a-repeat-of-his-results-in-buffalo] Turning to the Utah Hockey Club, Spencer Lazary believes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah/latest-news/utah-hockey-club-enters-first-off-season-with-big-decisions-ahead] they have several key questions to address during this off-season. Among them is which players they might pursue in this summer's UFA market. Lazary indicated they're expected to make a splash, listing Toronto [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs]'s Mitch Marner, Vancouver [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks]'s Brock Boeser, Winnipeg [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets]'s Nikolaj Ehlers, and Florida [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers]'s Aaron Ekblad and Sam Bennett among the notable potential UFA candidates. PuckPedia indicates [https://puckpedia.com/team/utah-hc] Utah HC [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah] has a projected $22.3 million in salary-cap space with 19 active roster players under contract for next season. Defenseman Jack McBain and center Nick Bjugstad are their most notable free agents to re-sign or replace. Retaining those two would still give Utah enough cap room to make a major signing or two this summer if they spend to the cap. Lazary proposed using their 2025 first-rounder as a bargaining chip in the trade market. They could also dangle left winger Matias Maccelli as a trade candidate. Belle Fraser of the Salt Lake Tribune observed the 24-year-old's production declined this season [https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-hockey-club/2025/04/20/utah-hockey-club-exit-interviews/], becoming a frequent healthy scratch during the second half. She noted that his role with the club is unclear, suggesting an off-season trade isn't off the table. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
