Kraken coach Dave Hakstol certainly enjoyed a swing in his team’s and his own fortunes this past season and on Wednesday was rewarded for it with a two-year contract extension.
Once anticipated to be on a coaching hot seat after a 60-point debut campaign, Hakstol, 54, saw his Kraken engineer a 40-point turnaround and make the playoffs in 2022-23 — eliminating Colorado and taking Dallas to seven games before bowing out in the second round. His efforts earned Hakstol a finalist nod for the Jack Adams Award handed out annually for the NHL’s coach of the year, and now have gotten his contract extended through the 2025-26 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 in a news release. “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.”
