According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Seattle Kraken are hiring Dan Bylsma as their new head coach, replacing Dave Hakstol.
Bylsma has been with the Kraken organization since 2021, initially serving as an assistant coach for their then-AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. He has been the head coach of the Kraken's AHL team, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, for the past two seasons. Last season, Bylsma led the Firebirds to the Calder Cup Final and is currently tied 1-1 in the Western Conference Final of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Before joining the Kraken, Bylsma was an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings from 2018 to 2021 under Jeff Blashill. He also has experience as an NHL head coach with the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He famously won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins in his first season, taking over from former coach Michel Therrien.
