Pending UFA Defenseman Justin Schultz Talks "Tough Season"
Multiple media reports have suggested strong words from Seattle Kraken players convinced general manager Ron Francis to show former coach Dave Hakstol the door.
Kraken forward Jordan Eberle contradicted those reports in a KJR radio interview. "By no means did anyone go with an ultimatum. That's not how our team operates. I was very disappointed for Hak. I hold him in high regard."
Some media members were also skeptical of the alleged discontent. Allow me to paraphrase Geoff Baker's response in the Seattle Times: "Booshwah."
Hakstol's dismissal "has nothing to do with players griping in exit interviews," Baker writes. "Players always gripe. If Francis, who mostly traveled in-person with the team or occasionally had trusted lieutenants do it, wasn’t aware of gripes until last week the Kraken have bigger problems than the coach."
Whatever the reasons, Seattle is searching for a new head coach. Meanwhile, the bitter taste from a non-playoff season lingers. Kraken defenseman Justin Schultz, a pending free agent, talks about that in today's Kraken Reaction.