Ron Francis will step down as president of hockey operations for the Seattle Kraken at the end of the current season, the team announced Wednesday, bringing an end to a tenure that spanned the franchise’s entire existence from its earliest planning stages to its first playoff appearance.
The decision was described as mutual. Francis, who was the first general manager in franchise history when he was hired in July 2019, was elevated to president in April 2025. He oversaw the Kraken’s entry into the NHL as the league’s 32nd franchise and helped guide the club to a playoff berth in its second season, a milestone the organisation has pointed to as a highlight of its early years.
CEO Tod Leiweke acknowledged Francis’s foundational role in building the franchise. “From a small office in Lower Queen Anne to the NHL’s 32nd franchise, Ron’s leadership and vision were instrumental in building this franchise from the ground up,” Leiweke said. “Ron and I agreed that this is the right moment to make a thoughtful transition for both Ron and the organization, and move in a new direction.” Francis reflected on his time with the club with pride. “I am proud of the culture we built, the people we brought together, and the milestones we achieved, including our historic first playoff run,” he said. “This organization has a bright future, and I’m grateful to have been part of its beginning.”
The announcement comes at a difficult moment on the ice. The Kraken were sitting in the second Wild Card spot as recently as 17 March with a record of 31 wins, 26 losses, and 9 overtime losses, but have since collapsed, losing 10 of their last 11 games including six consecutive defeats. Only two of those losses came in overtime, meaning the team has collected just four points during that stretch. Their only win was an overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Kraken now sit nine points out of a playoff position with just five games remaining, on the verge of missing the postseason for the fourth time in five seasons.
Francis, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007 following an illustrious playing career, previously led the Carolina Hurricanes front office from 2011 to 2018 before joining the Kraken’s founding operation.
