Ron Francis Steps Down as Seattle Kraken President

0:00On April 8, big news from the Seattle Kraken, their president of hockey operations, Ron Francis, is stepping down at the end of the regular season. He served as the team's first general manager for four seasons, starting in July 2019, then got promoted to president this year. Under him, the Kraken hit the playoffs in their second season, 2022-23, and even won that first round. This season started strong. They held a playoff spot at the trade deadline, but a rough cold streak dropped him nine points out of a wildcard. Position. Earlier this week, the team announced the change as a plan transition to a new direction. Kraken CEO Todd Laywick praised Francis for building a solid foundation with draft picks and prospects, calling it the right time for both him and the organization. Francis himself reflected on the honor of launching the expansion team, the culture they built, and that historic playoff run while thanking owners, staff, and fans. Now, Jason Baudero, who was bumped up to General Manager

1:02ahead of the 2025-26 season, takes over hockey operations leadership. The Kraken still have those promising pieces in place, setting them up for what's next in this young franchise's journey. Stay locked in with NHL News Today, AI-powered updates. I'm Corey, with the story.