In a move ringing in with a clap of thunder across the hockey community, the Seattle Kraken are set to announce Dan Bylsma as their new head coach. Bylsma, renowned for leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup victory in 2009, is expected to return to the NHL helm after a lengthy hiatus, according to a source with insider knowledge who spoke on the condition of anonymity to KOMO News.
The Kraken has teased fans with a cryptic "special announcement" news conference date set for Tuesday, coming on the heels of Sportsnet's initial spill of the possibly not-so-secret decision. After waving goodbye to the NHL spotlight in 2017, Bylsma, during his stint as an assistant coach with the Red Wings and as the mastermind behind the Coachella Valley Firebirds' current Calder Cup semifinals push, has been stoking the fires of his coaching prowess.
Bylsma's record boasts an impressive 320–190–55 during his tenure in the big leagues, totaling a robust .615 career winning percentage, as detailed by Sports Illustrated. This next career chapter in Seattle pulls Bylsma's experience full center—transitioning from his playing days with the Los Angeles Kings and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and walking into the opportunity of whipping the Kraken into formidable shape.
The shifting tides are coming as Bylsma replaces Dave Hakstol, who was shown the door despite helping the Kraken make their mark with a first playoff appearance in franchise history last year. Under Hakstol's recent watch, the Kraken managed a 107–112 record—a figure that shines slightly less brightly when stacked against Bylsma's career digits. Seattle fans may be hoping Bylsma can catapult the team beyond last year’s peak, which saw them taking down the Colorado Avalanche in the first playoff round before the Dallas Stars snuffed out their postseason flame in the Western Conference semifinals in seven grueling games.
