Kraken fire Dave Hakstol

[Aqualung]

Berube a possibility?

 

[Siludin]

It's an easy fire Hakstol, and I thought he was an inevitable fodder coach the day he was hired, but the roster had holes that opened the previous offseason (and, in retrospect, since the expansion draft) that were never appropriately addressed.

Their centre depth was never playoff-caliber on paper, and they should have better-anticipated the sophomore slump out of Beniers. Likewise, consider Yanni Gourde would probably be the 4C on Vancouver this season. Where were they on the Lindholm trade? Might end up with him in the offseason because they are one of the few teams desperate for a C who are in a position to toss him the big $9+ million contract that he is already probably kicking himself for not signing in Calgary.

Losing a declining Dumoulin to replace a rising Soucy hurt their back end. They needed to build in this area and they will this offseason too. Defense can really change under new coaching so I will reserve judgement because they have some decent options.

Goalies need to be improved. I expect Seattle to use their extra 2nd rounder on a goaltender (Vladislav Bryzgalov, anyone?), but they should see if they could pry Markstrom out of Calgary for cheap/minimal salary implications, because I have a feeling that Markstrom would love to be back on the west coast, close to Vancouver again.

That being said, they might have to make a tough decision across all areas, as they could consequently be frontrunners for Guentzel on disposable cap space alone. They have so many wingers, but adding Guentzel could be too hard to pass up.

The wild card is their prospect group - lots of great forwards in that crew beyond Wright, who has the pedigree to take a huge step forward next season with some solid training. If any of their top guys can be for Seattle next year, what Beniers was for the team the year prior to this one, then the forward group looks a lot more dangerous right away.

 

[BHD]

I never got the Berube hype.

Francis hiring Bylsma would be the least surprising move I can think of.

Outside of that one run, Bylsma is a low ceiling/high floor coach. He would fit the bill for Francis.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Goalie

 

[Maple Leaf]

what the hell? number one rule: you never fire your coach

 

[Bubbles]

Goaltending is not the problem. They actually let in 20 goals less than last year. However, they scored 75 LESS goals. Everyone on that team had a down year, with no one picking up the slack.

 

[jbron]

I've watched the Kraken for the last three years and I don't think this is remotely accurate.

They were a low talent roster that played to a team oriented identity - smart, swarming, stifling, whatever you want to call it. They were a decent team up until the last quarter of the season this year when the wheels fell off.

I have been a season ticket holder for the last three years. Also, catch most of the away games on TV as well. I agree, they did have a swarming style on the ice. But, not what I would call a winning system. Very frustrating to watch as they played liked chickens with their heads cut off. There were very few set plays, cycling, and too many attempted long passes from the D zone. For three years when trailing by one midway through the third I saw more than enough Kraken D men attempt more than a 100 foot pass to try to spring someone for a goal. Seriously, that's crazy desperate hockey that is just isn't sound fundamentally. Their system was Turbo. Skate around the ice and try to make a play. That's Kraken Hockey baby and it falls on Francis's roster and just fell on Dave's lack of a system.

 

[Irie]

Bit surprising. Seattle has a pretty mid roster yet were still in the playoff picture for a spell. I don't know how much more they could expect from any coach but I suppose someone has to be blamed?

I believe the main reason for the change was that even since the first season, most of the younger players have publicly stated they were confused with their roles, have commented on lack of communication from Hakstol, expressed frustration, and mostly have wanted out and have been unkind in interviews after they left about playing for him.

Hakstol got way more out of the vets on the roster than most thought possible, but he absolutely bungled the development of the younger players. Now with a ton of the Kraken's draft prospects coming up, changing the focus of the coaching approach absolutely makes sense.

They were a low talent roster that played to a team oriented identity - smart, swarming, stifling, whatever you want to call it. They were a decent team up until the last quarter of the season this year when the wheels fell off.

I don't think I would ever say the team played consistently smart. They always played aggressive, but it wasn't until Dave Lowry took over the defensive scheme and the PK in December of 22 that they weren't a complete undisciplined mess on the defensive side of the ice. They've reverted to that undisciplined play quite often this season.

 

[BHD]

It should be noted that Paul McFarland (a power play specialist) was relieved of his duties as well. Interesting to see whether he continues as an assistant with another NHL team or goes back to being a head coach in the OHL.

 

[AslanRH]

There's some hard worker types Berube would probably love.

 

[VivaLasVegas]

Vegas early success set a high standard.

As the Kraken's first coach, Hakstol lasted longer than Gallant who was Vegas' first coach.

IMHO, this is more of a CYA by Ron Francis who couldn't make a trade in a brothel.

 

[Scomerica]

It's an easy fire Hakstol, and I thought he was an inevitable fodder coach the day he was hired, but the roster had holes that opened the previous offseason (and, in retrospect, since the expansion draft) that were never appropriately addressed.

Their centre depth was never playoff-caliber on paper, and they should have better-anticipated the sophomore slump out of Beniers. Likewise, consider Yanni Gourde would probably be the 4C on Vancouver this season. Where were they on the Lindholm trade? Might end up with him in the offseason because they are one of the few teams desperate for a C who are in a position to toss him the big $9+ million contract that he is already probably kicking himself for not signing in Calgary.

Losing a declining Dumoulin to replace a rising Soucy hurt their back end. They needed to build in this area and they will this offseason too. Defense can really change under new coaching so I will reserve judgement because they have some decent options.

Goalies need to be improved. I expect Seattle to use their extra 2nd rounder on a goaltender (Vladislav Bryzgalov, anyone?), but they should see if they could pry Markstrom out of Calgary for cheap/minimal salary implications, because I have a feeling that Markstrom would love to be back on the west coast, close to Vancouver again.

That being said, they might have to make a tough decision across all areas, as they could consequently be frontrunners for Guentzel on disposable cap space alone. They have so many wingers, but adding Guentzel could be too hard to pass up.

The wild card is their prospect group - lots of great forwards in that crew beyond Wright, who has the pedigree to take a huge step forward next season with some solid training. If any of their top guys can be for Seattle next year, what Beniers was for the team the year prior to this one, then the forward group looks a lot more dangerous right away.

Daccord was solid this year. I don't think he was a problem. Grubauer is an expensive backup but they cant do much about that contract.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

Interesting move. I thought that Seattle's main downfall was Grubauer having an off year and losing his net to Joey Daccord. Or was Grubauer injured?

Sorry, I don't follow the Kraken much, so I'm legitimately curious.

D'Accord went 19-18-11 with a 2.46 GAA and .916SV%.
Grubauer was also pretty good once he came back from his injury.

Goaltending was no problem for the Kraken this season and they also finished in the top 10 defensively.

They just couldn't score this season and went from 2nd to 29th when it came to it.

Also, a big problem of Hakstol was his lack of any kind of strategy besides "playing hard".

 

[Scomerica]

It should be noted that Paul McFarland (a power play specialist) was relieved of his duties as well. Interesting to see whether he continues as an assistant with another NHL team or goes back to being a head coach in the OHL.

Seattle's power play can't be any worse. So predictable

 

[Bard Marchand]

The moment Hakstol was hired, he was a dead man walking. He was the sacrificial first coach so if the team disappointed in any regard, Francis could fire the coach and still remain as GM.

Second, the available pool of coaches this off season is stacked. Everyone wants Berube just like last year everyone wanted Trotz. Consolation prizes are Woodcroft, Gallant... and now Hak, I guess.

 

[Captain97]

If Rod the Bod doesn't re-sign with Carolina could we see a reunion with Francis?

 

[joestevens29]

It's an easy fire Hakstol, and I thought he was an inevitable fodder coach the day he was hired, but the roster had holes that opened the previous offseason (and, in retrospect, since the expansion draft) that were never appropriately addressed.

Their centre depth was never playoff-caliber on paper, and they should have better-anticipated the sophomore slump out of Beniers. Likewise, consider Yanni Gourde would probably be the 4C on Vancouver this season. Where were they on the Lindholm trade? Might end up with him in the offseason because they are one of the few teams desperate for a C who are in a position to toss him the big $9+ million contract that he is already probably kicking himself for not signing in Calgary.

Losing a declining Dumoulin to replace a rising Soucy hurt their back end. They needed to build in this area and they will this offseason too. Defense can really change under new coaching so I will reserve judgement because they have some decent options.

Goalies need to be improved. I expect Seattle to use their extra 2nd rounder on a goaltender (Vladislav Bryzgalov, anyone?), but they should see if they could pry Markstrom out of Calgary for cheap/minimal salary implications, because I have a feeling that Markstrom would love to be back on the west coast, close to Vancouver again.

That being said, they might have to make a tough decision across all areas, as they could consequently be frontrunners for Guentzel on disposable cap space alone. They have so many wingers, but adding Guentzel could be too hard to pass up.

The wild card is their prospect group - lots of great forwards in that crew beyond Wright, who has the pedigree to take a huge step forward next season with some solid training. If any of their top guys can be for Seattle next year, what Beniers was for the team the year prior to this one, then the forward group looks a lot more dangerous right away.

The thing is they actually got some goaltending out of Daccord.

Now I get that he might not want to be the guy some think of as the starter, but there weren't a lot of better goalies than him this year. They do have Kokko from 2022 that seems to be doing well and is signed to a contract so maybe he comes over and starts getting some AHL action.

Lots went wrong for them this year in Seattle, but the roster as it stands isn't exactly something I count on being that much better next year. A lot of guys are on the wrong side of 30 so can't exactly bank on them bouncing back to where they were in 22-23.

A guy like Guentzel would definitely help, but they will need more than that to get back into the playoff picture IMO.

 

[NYR94]

If Rod the Bod doesn't re-sign with Carolina could we see a reunion with Francis?

I was thinking that if Carolina wins the Cup this year, does Brind'Amour leave for another team and a new challenge.

 

[The Flying Octopus]

Jeff Blashill come on down

lol

 

[POVERTY]

Leafs fan here. Teams are allowed to do this?

 

[bossram]

That's a swing and a miss.

Seattle had the best 5v5 offense in the league a year ago.

With the rosters they've had to work with, Seattle has beat expectations offensively.

The swing and a miss is from you friend. I said scoring chance generation. At 5v5, SEA was 20th in xGF/60 in 22/23, per Evolving Hockey. 22nd in scoring chances for/60. They don't create chances well. Which is exactly what I said.

The misunderstanding is from you not being able to distinguish results and the chance creation process. SEA was first league-wide in 5v5 shooting percentage in 22/23, at 10.4%. That was simply not repeatable, more the result of good fortune. They were at 8.2% in 21/22, and 7.7% in 23/24. Hmm, which one is the outlier here?

I was exactly correct. Hakstol teams don't generate much offense. He was the beneficiary of fortunate finishing in 22/23, which was not going to repeat itself. I had quite large positions against SEA this season (under point total, miss playoffs, and a very juicy H2H bet with VAN) for this reason.

 

[Bleedred]

Leafs fan here. Teams are allowed to do this?

Teams are allowed to do what? Fire a coach?

Just sit tight. I'm sure it'll only be a matter of days before the ''Leafs fire Sheldon Keefe'' thread.

 

[joestevens29]

I believe the main reason for the change was that even since the first season, most of the younger players have publicly stated they were confused with their roles, have commented on lack of communication from Hakstol, expressed frustration, and mostly have wanted out and have been unkind in interviews after they left about playing for him.

Hakstol got way more out of the vets on the roster than most thought possible, but he absolutely bungled the development of the younger players. Now with a ton of the Kraken's draft prospects coming up, changing the focus of the coaching approach absolutely makes sense.



I don't think I would ever say the team played consistently smart. They always played aggressive, but it wasn't until Dave Lowry took over the defensive scheme and the PK in December of 22 that they weren't a complete undisciplined mess on the defensive side of the ice. They've reverted to that undisciplined play quite often this season.

The whole Shane Wright thing was kind of a mess, so it could very well be the coach and GM not seeing eye to eye on how to use the younger players.

Although at the end of the day that could all be on Francis. Should've been pretty clear from day 1 what expectations were of your coach. You want him to win or develop players?

 

[Siludin]

The thing is they actually got some goaltending out of Daccord.

Now I get that he might not want to be the guy some think of as the starter, but there weren't a lot of better goalies than him this year. They do have Kokko from 2022 that seems to be doing well and is signed to a contract so maybe he comes over and starts getting some AHL action.

Lots went wrong for them this year in Seattle, but the roster as it stands isn't exactly something I count on being that much better next year. A lot of guys are on the wrong side of 30 so can't exactly bank on them bouncing back to where they were in 22-23.

A guy like Guentzel would definitely help, but they will need more than that to get back into the playoff picture IMO.

Daccord was solid this year. I don't think he was a problem. Grubauer is an expensive backup but they cant do much about that contract.

That's true, Daccord was better than expected and probably an underrated budget buy. I am still concerned about Grubauer long-term but if they leverage Daccord's performance and Driedger's unpredictable availability to manage Grubauer's starts, that's probably the best course of action if they don't want to spend more money on the position.

 

[Melrose Munch]

Ron Francis has to go. And probably soon.