Trending Now - Ron Francis Resigns as President of the Kraken
WHO:
NHL.com - Ron Francis, 63, is the president of the Seattle Kraken.
NHL.com - Tod Leiweke is the CEO of the Kraken.
NHL.com - Jason Botterill, 49, is the assistant GM and will become the executive vice president and GM.
WHAT:
NHL.com - Ron Francis's tenure as president of the Kraken included a total of five NHL seasons, with a record of 174 wins, 187 losses, and 44 overtime losses.
NHL.com - The Kraken's playoff run in 2023 included a second-round series against the Dallas Stars, which ended in a 2-1 loss in Game 7.
NHL.com - Francis stated, "It has been an honor to help launch and lead the Seattle Kraken over the past seven years," in his farewell message.
NHL.com - Ron Francis is stepping down from his position as president of the Kraken.
NHL.com - Francis's tenure lasted nearly seven years, including five seasons in the NHL.
NHL.com - The Kraken made the playoffs in their second season, achieving a 100-point campaign in 2022-23.
NHL.com - The Kraken upset the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs in 2023, winning in seven games.
WHERE:
NHL.com - The Seattle Kraken is based in Seattle, Washington.
WHEN:
NHL.com - Ron Francis will step down at the conclusion of the regular season on April 15th, 2026.
NHL.com - Francis took over as GM in July 2019.
NHL.com - The Kraken's inaugural roster was selected at the NHL expansion draft in July 2021.
NHL.com - Francis was promoted to president of hockey operations in April 2025.
WHY:
NHL.com - Tod Leiweke described the transition as a move "in a new direction" for the organization.
NHL.com - The decision for Francis to step down was described as a "thoughtful transition" for both him and the organization, according to Tod Leiweke.
HOW:
NHL.com - Jason Botterill will take full control of the front office's decision-making process moving forward.
NHL.com - Francis consulted on the Kraken's name, practice facility, AHL affiliate, and hired the initial coach, Dave Hakstol.
(UPDATED April 9, 2026 09:18 UTC)
Ron Francis has stepped down as president of the Seattle Kraken after five seasons, finishing with a record of 174 wins, 187 losses, and 44 overtime losses, and reflecting on his time with the team, he said, "It has been an honor to help launch and lead the Seattle Kraken over the past seven years." The Kraken's playoff run in 2023 included a hard-fought second-round series against the Dallas Stars, which ended in a narrow 2-1 loss in Game 7. Moving forward, Jason Botterill will take full control of the front office's decision-making process, as described by Tod Leiweke as a move "in a new direction" for the organization.
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(UPDATED April 9, 2026 03:52 UTC)
Ron Francis is stepping down from his role as president of the Seattle Kraken at the conclusion of the regular seasApril 15th, after nearly seven years with the organization. During his tenure, the Kraken made the playoffs in their second season, achieving a remarkable 100-point campaign in 2022-23 and upsetting the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in the first round. As part of a "thoughtful transition," Jason Botterill will take over as the executive vice president and general manager, while Tod Leiweke continues as CEO.