The group includes a two-time Stanley Cup winner, a 16-season NHL player with four more years as an assistant coach, a long-time NHL scout, a former leading scorer at the elite juniors level and a U.S. Olympic gold medalist. Ulf Samuelsson, Stu Barnes, Dave Hunter, John Goodwin and Cammi Granato will all be helping Francis and assistant GM Ricky Olczyk scout NHL games this season.
The emphasis on pro-level scouting-both NHL and American Hockey League games-is directly related to NHL Seattle anticipating the 2021 Expansion Draft in which players with two seasons of NHL experience and beyond will be on the eligibility list.
Samuelsson was traded along with Francis from Hartford to Pittsburgh in March 1991; they went on to help the Penguins win two Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992. He played 15 seasons total and most recently was an assistant coach with the Chicago Blackhawks. Samuelsson will be scouting in Los Angeles, Anaheim, and San Diego (AHL).
Barnes will be located in Dallas, where he served as a Stars assistant coach and finished his playing career that included stops in Winnipeg, Florida, Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Hunter will be based in Boston. He worked for Francis in Carolina as a pro scout and has significant experience scouting amateurs.
Goodwin will be from the Toronto area, where he has coached for Ontario Hockey League teams and notched 168 points (56 goals and 110 assists) in a glorious season with the OHL's Sault St. Marie Greyhounds franchise.
Granato, an Olympic gold medalist who captained the 1998 U.S. women's team to victory in Nagano, Japan, is breaking ground as the only female pro scout in the NHL. She will be based in Vancouver.