(Seattle) The Seattle Kraken are expected to announce the appointment of Dan Bylsma as head coach of their team, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Monday.
The Associated Press source spoke on condition of anonymity because the Washington State team had not yet made Bylsma’s arrival official.
A Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, Bylsma has not managed a National Hockey League (NHL) team since 2017. He spent the last two seasons at the helm of the Coachella Valley Firebirds , the Kraken’s farm club in the American League. He has worked extensively with several of the Kraken’s top prospects.
Bylsma will replace Dave Hakstol, who will not return after leading the team through his first three NHL campaigns. However, Hakstol had agreed to a two-year extension after leading the club to the playoffs in 2022-23.
Prior to his time with the Firebirds, Bylsma spent eight seasons as head coach with the Bettman circuit. He was also at the helm of the Buffalo Sabres.