After firing coach Dan Bylsma, the Seattle Kraken have promoted longtime general manager Ron Francis to president of hockey operations, with assistant Jason Botterill taking over day-to-day responsibilities.

The shakeup announced Tuesday comes after the Kraken missed the playoffs for the third time in four years and regressed in Bylsma's only season behind the bench.

"These changes reflect our commitment to becoming a sustained playoff team," owner Samantha Holloway said in a statement. "Ron has done an excellent job of building our hockey operations and setting a solid foundation. Our new enhanced structure will allow Ron to continue shaping our long-term vision while empowering Jason day to day."

Francis had been in charge since not long after Seattle's ownership group was granted an NHL expansion franchise. He and Botterill are now tasked with finding a coach and repairing a roster that is lacking in elite talent.

"I am proud of what we have started here in Seattle and look forward to continuing in my new role as president," Francis said. "I have worked closely with Jason for many years at both the NHL and international levels. He helped build three Stanley Cup-winning rosters in Pittsburgh and has been a key member of our management team since day one. He has demonstrated the ability to construct winning teams, and his experience, leadership, and vision will be invaluable as we continue towards a championship-caliber organization in Seattle."

This is Botterill's second GM job in the league after he ran the Buffalo Sabres from 2017 to 2020.

"We are focused on taking the next step as a franchise, and for us, next season starts now," Botterill said. "From roster decisions to player development, we will do everything we can to build a team that can compete for the playoffs every year and ultimately bring a Stanley Cup to Seattle."

That did not happen under Bylsma. The Kraken this past season finished 35-41-6 for 76 points -- 20 back of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference -- after 81 in 2023-24 for previous coach Dave Hakstol.

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