Kraken Extend Hakstol Through 2025-26 Season

After leading his team to a 100-point season, an inaugural playoff berth, and the first ever defeat of a Stanley Cup champion by a team making their post-season debut, the Kraken announced Wednesday that they are extending the contract of head coach, Dave Hakstol.

"We believe we are heading in the right direction with Dave as our head coach and it was important to show that confidence with this contract extension," said Ron Francis, General Manager of the Seattle Kraken. "Dave and his staff have done a great job of creating a close-knit, team-first mindset in our locker room and their work ethic helps set the tone for our team. Dave helped guide this team to a 40-point improvement and was a Jack Adams finalist for coach of the year. That recognition is well deserved."

What Hakstol's team accomplished this past season is well documented. After ending the 2021-22 campaign with 60 points and an overall 30th place finish, Hakstol and his staff found the formula that unlocked the best in the team's lineup - one that was bolstered by off-season additions of Andre Burakovsky, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Justin Schultz, Martin Jones and 2023 Rookie of the Year, Matty Beniers.

Every player was slotted into the perfect position by Hakstol and crew, and as a result, the depth of the Kraken became their ultimate strength. 13 skaters scored at least 10 goals (tied with Edmonton for the most on any team) and a league-leading 18 players had 20-plus points.

On any given night, it could be any player or line stepping up. That versatility gave opponents fits and led to a 40-point increase on the season for the Seattle squad and the best improvement in wins and points of any second-year expansion team in NHL history.

"As a staff we take pride in the reflection of (what our group did) in terms of how 'all in' our guys were," Hakstol said. "It was a great group to work with. We were able to find some belief and find rhythm throughout the year and I think everyone should be able to enjoy that a little bit."

But as much as you can see the success Hakstol's group has had on the ice, the head coach's impact off the ice should not go unnoticed. Those who know him best praise his drive and elite level of compete, but the 54-year-old places a priority on the people he works with just as much as the x's and o's.

Just ask Erinn Hakstol to whom Dave is married.

"(Dave) really tries to relate to the people around him, whether it be his staff or his players," Erinn said. "Sometimes I think in the old school way of coaching it was just you just put your nose down and work harder and keep going. But I think that there's always a personal aspect that (Dave) looks into as well. (He considers) what is really going on with this person that we can bring the best out of them in this way. Part of his evolution of being a better coach was to really realize that it was okay to have a more personal connection with his players. I think that's what helps him succeed."

Hockey reporter Brad Schlossman covered Dave for 10 years when the latter coached at University of North Dakota. Schlossman also saw that ability to connect with players and maximize talent.

The reality of an NCAA roster is that it's ever changing, and year over year, Dave was able to get the most out of his players leading his team to seven Frozen Four appearances.

"He didn't try to pound a square peg into a round hole," Schlossman said. "And he has always been about empowering the locker room. On some teams you can have guys who will point fingers, blame the coach or this teammate. On Dave's teams, when there were issues, guys said 'this is our problem. It's on us to figure it out.'

"(I see that) in Seattle, too - they are very internally motivated."

Another big part of Dave's success has been his calm demeanor. No matter the chaos going on around him, the Kraken head coach is always even keel. Schlossman says a team seeing that their bench boss doesn't get rattled has a very real trickledown effect in players being able to keep their cool and maintain focus on the task at hand.

Erinn laughs as she describes how "steady" her spouse is in all things. It's amusing to her that people comment on the fact that Dave doesn't smile when he's behind the bench.

"I always say, 'well, are you smiling when you're at work?'" Erinn said. "There are times for it and while he's a structured, even person, he's really fun outside of there."

And there was time for fun and celebration at this year's NHL Awards when Dave was named as a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, an honor given to the best coach in the league. All of the Kraken assistant coaches were in attendance - something that was meaningful to both Dave and Erinn because they truly believe that every single member of the staff was essential to what the team was able to accomplish this season.

It was also special that the two other finalists, eventual winner Jim Montgomery (Boston), and Lindy Ruff (New Jersey) are part of the network of friends and mentors that Dave has built throughout his career. Erinn says he's always exchanging ideas with others about the game he loves.

And to have the opportunity to continue to hone his craft in Seattle is something both Hakstols are thankful for. Francis, Tod Leiweke, Samantha Holloway and their families have all been integral in not just bringing the coach and his family to the Pacific Northwest, but in making them feel welcome and setting the entire team up for success on and off the ice.

"They really made it a point to put people in place that they really believed in," Erinn said.

"The minute we got here, everyone was so welcoming and kind and helpful, and they still are. It's been really nice for all of us."

And with that continued faith from leadership, Hakstol is ready to once again guide the Kraken through another NHL season that is brimming with opportunity.

"Dave and the staff did a great job," Ron Francis said at season's end. "One thing that I was impressed with last year (in a tough year) was our team never quit. …(Our finish after the trade deadline) was, to me, an indication that the coaches had the locker room. The guys believe in what they were doing and they competed hard.

"This year from day one, we had more ability to do things, and that went a long way to our guys getting to know each other, understand each other and have some fun with each other. But ultimately, Dave's the one that's on a daily basis in the room steering that ship. I get to sit up top and watch and we have conversations but he has to go in there every day and work that room and you saw it from our guys from start to finish.

"They were a gutsy group. A gritty group. That's a reflection on him and how he prepares and wants his teams to play. (The recognition Dave and the team have gotten) is well deserved."