Francis talks Kraken turnaround, 2024 Winter Classic in Q&A with NHL.com

In NHL.com's Q&A feature called "Sitting Down with …" we talk to key figures in the game, gaining insight into their lives on and off the ice. Today, we feature Hockey Hall of Fame forward and Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis.

The Seattle Kraken approach the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline at 3 p.m. ET on March 3 in a far different place in the standings than they were a year ago.
At the 2022 deadline, the Kraken were tied with the Arizona Coyotes for last in the Western Conference with 44 points (19-38-6) and looking to acquire pieces as a first-year NHL expansion team building for the future. This season, Seattle (30-18-5) has been one of the biggest surprises in the NHL and are tied for third in the Pacific Division with the Edmonton Oilers, three points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for first.
The Kraken are also in a tenuous position, just four points ahead of the Calgary Flames, who currently hold the second and final wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. But that doesn't mean general manager Ron Francis is going to abandon his long-term plan and go all-in at the trade deadline to help Kraken in the short term.
"I like what our guys are doing," Francis said. "I like the way we believe in each other and play for each other right now. If there is a piece there that make sense, and it isn't at a ridiculous price, we'll certainly look at it, but we're not going to do anything that's crazy at this point."
The Kraken acquired Jaycob Megna in a trade with the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 5 for a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft to add to their depth on defense. They have the assets to do something bigger to boost their chances of qualifying for the playoffs, including three second-round picks in the 2023 draft, but Francis is content with staying patient.
"I think our big picture is still similar," Francis said. "We want to build it from the ground up as we continue to do this moving forward. So, we'll sort of sit and wait, see where we are and see what the prices are and make some decisions as we get closer to the deadline. But our team is playing pretty well right now. The chemistry is pretty good, so we'll see where things go."
In a Q&A with NHL.com, Francis discussed the Kraken's turnaround in their second season, rookie forward Matty Beniers' impact, hosting the 2024 Discover NHL Winter Classic and more.
How do you feel about the season the Kraken has had so far and what are your thoughts looking forward to the rest of the season?
"It's been a good year to this point. I think we're [three points from] first (in the Pacific Division) and we're [four] points from being out of the playoffs, so it's a tight run and still a lot of hockey left to be played. I'm really proud of and happy with our guys. They've come and worked hard every night and it's good to see them having some success and enjoying themselves. A few more smiles around there this year, which is nice to see."
How much do those smiles help this season after the Kraken had some stretches during their inaugural season when they played well, but weren't in the playoff race at this point?
"If you look at our record last year strictly on the wins and points (27-49-6, 60 points), it wasn't good. But if you go a little deeper, I think we had something like 26 or 27 one-goal losses or one-goal games that became two with an empty-net goal, so it wasn't like we were terrible and getting blown out every night. We were in a lot of hockey games. We just couldn't get over the hump. I think it's helped this year that we've got (Jaden) Schwartz and (Brandon) Tanev back healthy and we were able to sign some free agents like (Andre) Burakovsky, (Justin) Schultz and (Martin) Jones. The trade (with the Columbus Blue Jackets) for (Oliver) Bjorkstrand certainly helped and that young kid, No. 10 (Matty) Beniers, isn't bad either.
"So, you've got a lot of new faces, a lot of new players in your top nine, a lot of new players in your lineup, but the biggest thing for us is we don't have a superstar. We don't have one guy we can rely on. We need everybody and everybody is contributing, and I think that's created a really good atmosphere for our guys in the locker room and on the ice."
Can that atmosphere and chemistry you've developed go a long way in these cases and do you want to be careful not to disrupt that with a trade?
"The Cups that I won (with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992), chemistry played a big part of it. So, yeah, I think that's always a big part of assessing your team and your locker room. You see if there are needs, and if there are, you address them and if you're happy with things, you let it kind of go. So, we'll what happens over the next three weeks here until the deadline."
Beniers leads NHL rookies with 17 goals and 36 points in 51 games. How has it helped for him to be able to contribute like that at 20 years old?
"He's just a terrific kid. He is a great hockey player. He's going to be great hockey player as he gets stronger, but just a terrific kid. He's one of our engines. He pushes the pace in practice. He pushes the pace in games. He's an easy-going guy who has fit in really well with our veterans. He's got a bright future ahead of him."
The Kraken will host the Golden Knights in the 2024 Discover NHL Winter Classic at T-Mobile Park on Jan. 1, 2024. What do you think that first NHL outdoor game in Seattle will be like?
"I think it's going to be incredible. Seattle is such a huge sports market. It will be great in the Mariners' stadium to able to have the roof open or closed or halfway closed. It depends on how the weather acts that day, but it's going to be exciting for the city of Seattle and really exciting for our fans and certainly our organization is really proud and excited to host the event."
What will it do for the Kraken to host a big event like that in their third season?
"I just think the organization has worked hard on a lot of different things and I think they're pretty excited that the League recognized that and was willing to give us an outdoor game this soon. But they're working hard already to make sure they get it right and make sure the League and everybody is proud of the performance that we host."
The Carolina Hurricanes will host the Washington Capitals in the 2023 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Carter-Finley Stadium on the campus of North Carolina State University on Saturday (8 p.m.; ABC, ESPN+, SN360, TVAS2). You played in Carolina for six seasons (1998-2004) and worked in management for 12 seasons, including four as GM (2014-18). What will it mean to that market to have an outdoor game?
"It's something the organization always wanted to do. It's nice that they finally get to do it. I hope the weather cooperates and it will be good."
What do you think the atmosphere will be like there?
"They know how to tailgate for sure, that market. During the Cup Final runs (2002, 2006) it was pretty impressive tailgating, so I imagine it will be for the outdoor game."
You never got to play an outdoor game when you were playing in the NHL. Have you played any alumni games?
"I played in the alumni game in Pittsburgh (before the 2011 NHL Winter Classic). It was a lot of fun, really a lot of fun."
Do you feel like you missed out a little because most of the outdoor games came after your NHL career ended in 2004?
"No, I grew up in Sault St. Marie (Ontario). I played in a lot of outdoor games in Sault St. Marie. I didn't get cheated. It was a little cold out there in the winter."