“It’s looking like” Lane Lambert will be back as the head coach of the Seattle Kraken. There’s plenty of indications from returning general manager Jason Botterill and team CEO Tod Leiweke, via that quote on a recent show, that Lambert will start his second season in 2026-’27.
Yet, with the franchise’s top-to-bottom audit of all operations, on and off the ice, apparently still ongoing, Lambert hasn’t been given official word.
It’s why I asked him the direct question at the very end of the Kraken’s season ending press conferences. His answer finished the availabilities for the afternoon.
“Has anyone in the organization told you face-to-face that you’ll be returning next season?”
“I haven’t been told anything, no,” Lambert answered.
I asked because during the questions and answers that proceeded, there seemed to be an air of hypothetical to everything said. Yes, the coach was making plans, thinking about work that had to be done, and looking forward to September. But it didn’t feel definitive.
He seemed irked at the end and had no issue with answering my question. It appeared it was more about the fact he was still waiting.
He should be a bit ticked. OK, there’s an audit going on, but do we really think at this point that Botterill, who we can safely assume is back, can’t pull the trigger on reaffirming his coach.
Apparently not.
Maybe and hopefully for Lambert’s sake, this is just a formality. The players we spoke with seemed to endorse his systems. One would expect to hear the final answer before the end of the month.
Earlier Kraken:
— Most Kraken Skate Quietly Out Of Town
