Unknown Date, 1999; Uniondale, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Thrashers left wing Jason Botterill (20) in action against New York Islanders defenseman Jamie Heward (6) at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK

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Seattle Kraken Set to Appoint Jason Botterill as New General Manager

Seattle Kraken to name Jason Botterill as GM, bringing experience and leadership to shape the franchise's next phase.

The Seattle Kraken are making big moves behind the scenes. In addition to parting ways with head coach Dan Bylsma, the team is set to promote assistant GM Jason Botterill to the role of general manager. Current GM Ron Francis will transition to a new role as the team’s president, signaling a strategic reshuffle at the top of the organization.

Botterill, a veteran executive who joined Seattle ahead of its debut NHL season, is no stranger to the pressures of the GM role. He previously served as the general manager of the Buffalo Sabres from 2017 to 2020. Though Buffalo didn’t make the playoffs under his watch, his eye for talent helped draft key pieces like Rasmus Dahlin, Dylan Cozens, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Botterill also showed a bold approach in the trade market, never hesitating to make high-stakes deals, including the Ryan O’Reilly trade and the acquisition of Jeff Skinner.

And then, as I say this, former Sabres GM, Jason Botterill is expected to be been named GM of the Seattle Kraken, replacing Ron Francis.

Kraken are shaking things up, interested to see what they do with that roster. https://t.co/LpYiU7quGn
— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) April 21, 2025

Francis, meanwhile, has been with the Kraken since 2019 and was instrumental in building the team from the ground up. Under his leadership, Seattle made calculated, long-term moves, drafting Matty Beniers and Shane Wright, and picking up key players like Vince Dunn and Jared McCann through the expansion draft. His shift to president doesn’t remove him from the hockey conversation, it simply gives him a broader role while Botterill handles the daily decisions.

This shakeup follows a frustrating season in which the Kraken fell short of playoff expectations after a 100-point campaign the year prior. The front office is sending a message: the team is ready to evolve, and it’s time to push forward with renewed energy.

Botterill brings experience, assertiveness, and a fresh set of eyes to a franchise still shaping its identity. With Francis offering steady oversight from above, Seattle hopes this new leadership alignment will help steer the Kraken back toward postseason contention, and eventually, deeper playoff runs.

Image Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK

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Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!