Hakstol signs contract to remain Kraken coach through 2025-26

Dave Hakstol signed a contract to remain coach of the Seattle Kraken through at least the 2025-26 season on Wednesday.

The 54-year-old led the Kraken (46-28-8) to a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, their second in the NHL, as the first wild card from the Western Conference and he was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as the top coach in the NHL.

"As a staff, we take pride in the reflection of (what our group did) in terms of how 'all in' our guys were," Hakstol told the Kraken website. "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."

Seattle improved by 19 wins and 40 points (from 60 to 100) from their inaugural season and ranked in the top five in shots against per game (27.0, second), goals per game (3.52, tied for fourth), and 5-on-5 shot attempts (401, fifth) last season.

"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," Kraken general manager Ron Francis said. "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."

Hakstol, who was hired by Seattle on June 24, 2021, prior to their first NHL season, is 73-77-14 in his two seasons with the Kraken. Seattle defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in seven games in the first round before losing to the Dallas Stars in seven games in the second round.

"Dave and the staff did a great job," Francis said after the season ended. "… 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."