Expansion Seattle Kraken hire Dave Hakstol as first coach

SEATTLE (AP) – Despite all of the speculation, rumors, leaks, and educated guesswork that went into finding the Seattle Kraken’s first trainer, the name Dave Hakstol never came up.

More prominent names with high résumés or connections were certainly popping up, some of which were generally viewed as likely to land the gig. Hakstol’s name didn’t emerge until he was announced as the Kraken’s leader on Thursday.

“By our side we just had the conversations, we talked about things, and I think a lot of that credit goes to Dave,” said General Manager Ron Francis. “He just didn’t talk to anyone about it and if you don’t, it won’t come out.”

Hakstol is now tasked with running the expansion franchise through its first season this fall.

His hiring was a surprising move by Francis, who completed a process that began with an initial interview in the summer of 2020. Francis said there were eight candidates who had formal interviews, but Hakstol’s name never appeared to be mentioned as a candidate.

“I see it as a golden opportunity to be part of something that we can build from the ground up,” said Hakstol. “Communication will be very, very important, not only in the next few weeks of building the roster, but also planning from there how everything will fit together.”

Seattle will be Hakstol’s second head coaching job in the NHL. He coached the Philadelphia Flyers for three seasons from 2015-19 and spent the last two years as an assistant to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 52-year-old Hakstol coached the Flyers to two playoff appearances, but both ended in first-round defeats and he was sacked midway through his fourth season. He also trained at the University of North Dakota for eleven years and was an external contributor to then Philadelphia General Manager Ron Hextall six years ago, just as he is this time for Francis.

Francis relies on the belief Hakstol learned from his missteps in Philadelphia and how many NHL coaches will be more successful with a second chance.

“I wouldn’t have the career I’ve had if I didn’t get that one call for my second job, and it was Lou Lamoriello. I didn’t have four or five calls, I had one. It was from Lou and we went to a Stanley Cup final, ”said Vegas coach Peter DeBoer before Game 6 of the Stanley Cup semi-finals on Thursday. “Without that one phone call, I wouldn’t have the NHL path I’ve taken. I felt a lot better. I was grateful for the second opportunity. I think I did my part to ensure that this franchise is successful from now on. “

Expectations from the Kraken are high.

Hakstol’s job will be to achieve the success of the league’s final expansion franchise, although it may seem unrealistic for the Kraken to keep up with the Golden Knights. Vegas reached the Stanley Cup final in its inaugural season and has made the playoffs in all four years of its existence.

“It’s really about building with good people in the beginning and building it the right way,” Hakstol said. “We make sure that we not only build a team that comes out of the gate and plays with a lot of pride, passion and success, but also works to strengthen the depth of the organization not only for this early success, but also for it to have sustainable success. “

The hiring fit in with Francis’ original schedule, who had completed the Seattle coaching search before the end of June, well before the July 21st expansion draft and the July 23rd NHL draft which would place the Kraken at number 2 overall.

Hakstol got the job through former Arizona Coyotes trainer Rick Tocchet and others who have been interviewed several times. Francis, Hakstol, and Seattle Assistant GM Jason Botterill attended the 2019 World Cup alongside Canada’s team.

“We spent four weeks together in Austria and Slovakia and I got to know him as a person and observed his work ethic and way of working and built up respect for what he can do,” said Francis.

While Hakstol ended up on the job, he may not have been the initial favorite.

Gerard Gallant seemed like the obvious option for Seattle as he led Vegas through its record breaking first season that ended in a loss to Washington in the final. Gallant chose a chance with the New York Rangers, possibly to face the challenges of another franchise in their first year.

The octopuses are expected to start training camp in September, with the season expected to start in mid-October. You will be playing in the Pacific Division with the Coyotes moving to the Central.

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AP Hockey Writer John Wawrow in Montreal and AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno in Washington contributed to this.

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