Ron Francis was the right choice to be GM for a new rebuilding team. Everyone knew that Seattle wasn't going to have the same success that Vegas did right out of the gates. The plan needed to be setting up the team for long term success, building through the draft and while ensuring fans still had something to cheer for. In years one and two that has to be seen as a success for the Kraken.

Unfortunately here we are in year 3 and the team is plummeting. Despite playing the most games in the Pacific Division, the Kraken sit with only 22 points and now both the Ducks and Oilers with games in hand have a chance to leap over the Kraken. Seattle also has the second fewest wins in the division, just two more than the Sharks.

Rome wasn't built in a day and neither are NHL teams and despite a phenomenal Year 2, we knew some aspects of that team simply were not going to be sustainable moving forward. That being said, this is a far greater drop off than what should be considered expected.

One thing seems clear to me and that is Hakstol simply is not the right guy for this team. The powerplay continues to struggle and the team can't find the back of the net unless they are shooting at unsustainable records. Now I firmly believe is the time to move on from the first coach in franchise history and find the guy you believe will take this team to the next level.

There are a few names out there right now but the top of my list should surprise no one. It's Jay Woodcroft. The coach with the highest winning percentage in Oilers history was fired this season because his goalie couldn't keep the puck out of his own net. Woodcroft is an excellent NHL coach, particularly when he isn't afraid to put youth into key roles as he did when he first stepped in as head coach. Not all of his decisions panned out but there was a willingness to let guys step up and take on bigger roles. Some of that was lost from his style when his job was on the line but in Seattle I could see him thrive.

Something needs to be done with this team. The Kraken still have the luxury of not being a "playoffs or bust" team. But a lottery finish is not going to be looked on too favorably by the fanbase. At bare minimum this team needs to be competing on a nightly basis and we simply are not seeing that in their game right now.

Francis may be a patient GM but it's time for him to make a call and shake things up.

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