Seattle Kraken ownership has often asked you to remember Ron Francis’ herculean efforts shepherding a new NHL franchise into existence during a pandemic. Some Kraken fans are eager to forget the team’s lack of success during Francis’ four seasons as general manager and one as president of hockey operations.
After the club parted ways with Francis in April, he found a new gig in one of his old haunts, Pittsburgh. A Hall of Fame member of two Penguins championship teams (1991 and 1992), Francis was welcomed back to the Steel City as a senior advisor to Pens GM Kyle Dubas on June 19.
Just as he had done for five seasons in Seattle, Francis participated in the Penguins 2026 drafting decisions, and showed up to the team’s development camp.
It’s not a surprise the GM there would want his counsel. Besides his Penguins pedigree, Francis as a kid was coached by Dubas’ grandfather, and played against Dubas’ father. “Kyle and I have known each other probably his whole life.”
Francis revealed that before going to work for Dubas, he once tried to get Dubas to work for him. “He got let go in Toronto (as Maple Leafs GM in 2023). I was trying to bring him to Seattle and then he (was hired by the Penguins). It finally worked out that we could work together.”
Memories Of Kraken Still Fresh For Francis
In speaking to Pittsburgh media, Francis recalled his tenure with the Kraken.
“To have the opportunity to build something from the ground up, we basically built a new arena, designed the locker room, practice facility, all that kind of stuff,” said Francis, quoted by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “Another rink in Palm Springs (Calif.) for the minor-league team. At one point, I had all kinds of tiles and carpet and paint samples in my office. It’s an exciting thing to go through.”
The Kraken posted a record of 27-49-6 in its 2021-22 expansion season. Seattle skyrocketed to 46-28-8 in 2022-23, making its only playoff appearance to date. When the club missed the postseason the following two years, the reins were handed off to current Kraken general manager Jason Botterill.
“Obviously, tough first year. We had a real good second year,” Francis says. “It was a great experience. It was a little different from the Vegas (expansion draft), obviously. I think (NHL executives) had gone through it once, had four years to prepare for us and we took a little bit different of an approach from Vegas. It was going to be drafting and developing a little bit longer plan. But always wish you had more success if you can get it.”
Kraken Tenure Preceded By Carolina Dry Spell
Just prior to Francis getting jettisoned, Simmer wrote that concerns should have been raised by Francis’s earlier tenure in the Carolina Hurricanes’ front office.
“Over seven seasons in Carolina between 2011 and 2018, as the director of hockey operations and then the general manager, his team failed to make the playoffs for the duration. They weren’t even close. He wasn’t exactly ‘Trader Ron.’ As for trade deadline deals, over seven years, there were only three mildly significant.
“Even Wayne Gretzky, the legend of on-ice legends, finally got the boot after four years as a lousy NHL head coach. Success in a jersey never guarantees success in a suit.”
Francis Feels ‘Back Home’
“Catching a ride into town, it felt like I was coming home,” Francis said. “I’ve had a lot of people see me on the street, shake my hand and welcome me back to Pittsburgh, which is always really gratifying. It was a fun part of my career here. We had a lot of success, a lot of good memories and I’ve always had a soft spot for the people of Pittsburgh and the fans of the Penguins.”
(After a 23-year, 1,731-game playing career with Hartford, Pittsburgh, Carolina and Toronto, Francis was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007. He currently serves as chair of the 18-member HHOF Selection Committee. )
(Editor’s Note: After I/we/the media get done criticizing people in the business for their lack of successes and their win/loss record, we also have to remind folks that Mr. Francis has always treated myself/us with great respect and kindness, is a tremendously nice person and a first class ambassador of the game.)
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