The Kraken seek a new leader as Ron Francis departs, leaving a legacy of team building and a future in flux.
The Kraken will soon be on the hunt for a replacement as Ron Francis steps down from his role as President of Hockey Operations at the and of the 2025-26 season. Named the first General Manager in franchise history in July of 2019, Francis has been with the team since its inception, helping to craft and mold the current and future for Seattle.
Ron Francis served as the General Manager from July 17, 2019 until April of 2025 when he was promoted to President of Hockey Operations. His influence on the foundation of the current Kraken franchise will be felt for some time.
Many fans and critics have been calling for Francis’s replacement since the third season, disappointed in the team’s performance after an exciting 2nd-year playoff bid. As the team transitioned through coaches: from Hakstol to Bylsma and now Lane Lambert with little change or improvement, critics looked to place the blame for lackluster performance higher up the chain.
In their press release, CEO Todd Leiweke said the decision for Ron Francis to step down was mutual and they saw it as the “right moment to make a thoughtful transition…and move in a new direction.” For Ron’s part, he added that it “has been an honor to help launch and lead the Seattle Kraken,” and he is “proud of the culture we built, the people we brought together, and the milestones we achieved.”