> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 5 Candidates To Replace Dan Bylsma as Seattle Kraken Head Coach - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/5-candidates-to-replace-dan-bylsma-as-seattle-kraken-head-coach/ - Published: 2025-04-22T00:23:16.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T05:37:34.000Z - Author: Corbin Smith - Tags: Kraken \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="3312"\] ![ Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach Rick Tocchet talks to defenseman Kris Letang during a game against the Calgary Flames, Dec. 12, 2014, at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Credit: Michael Miller ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/rick_tocchet_2014-12-12-format-original-1.jpg) Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach Rick Tocchet talks to defenseman Kris Letang during a game against the Calgary Flames, Dec. 12, 2014, at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Credit: Michael Miller \[/caption\] After a disappointing regular season that saw the Kraken miss the postseason for a second consecutive year, the Seattle Kraken have made the decision to move on from Dan Bylsma, relieving him of his head coaching duties Monday afternoon. It’s a bit of a surprise, if only because Bylsma was only given one year on the job, but not a huge one. There were rampant rumors that the organization was displeased with how the year went and the comments from then-general manager/current president of hockey operations Ron Francis suggested the team was expecting to compete in 2024-25. With Bylsma now out and the job open, let’s look at some potential coaching candidates who could make sense for the Kraken in 2025-26 — and hopefully beyond. ### **Peter Laviolette** A source inside the organization suggested that Laviolette isn't considered an option at this point, but he definitely deserves to be on this list. The long-time coach has won a Stanley Cup and been to two others, and has only one season under his belt with a losing record. If the Kraken are interested in immediate success, as suggested by Francis, it would be a mistake not to consider Laviolette. It sounds like the interest wouldn't necessarily be mutual, but you have to give it a try. ### **David Carle** Carle will be linked to every job that opens this spring, and it's understandable why. He not only won a pair of national championships at the University of Denver, but he's also won back-to-back gold medals at the IIHF Junior World championships. He's considered one of the brightest young minds in hockey, and it would be more surprising than not if he didn't land a job before the start of the 2025-26 season. Whether that job makes sense in Seattle is another question. On one hand, him working with the young players in the organization like Shane Wright, Matty Beniers, Jani Nyman and potentially Berkley Catton makes a ton of sense. On the other hand, are the Kraken interested in a first-year coach who has never worked in the NHL? There are certainly risks that come with the reward of hiring Carle. ### **Jay Leach** Leach would also be a first-time NHL coach, but one who has 12 years of playing experience and he's been an assistant in the NHL since 2001\. That experience started with the Kraken in their inaugural season before moving on to Boston in 2024\. He's also considered a candidate for the Rangers job, and he would bring a toughness that was sorely missing from Seattle over the last two seasons. He doesn't have the upside of the two names above, at least on paper, but his familiarity with the organization and his acumen make a lot of sense for the position. ### **Rick Tocchet** Tocchet is currently the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, but the team has already declined his option for 2025-26, and he will hit the open market. He was the Jack Adams coach of the year for 2023-24, and while the team didn't make the postseason the next year, he's widely respected around the league and believed to have made the most of a roster that would best be described as flawed. There will be plenty of teams interested in him. But he would bring a perceived toughness similar to Leach, and I can't help but note that he would add a little extra spice to the rivalry with the Canucks. ### **Michael Peca** Peca is another potential first-time coach, but another name that is certainly going to be making the rounds for NHL interviews this spring. Peca is regarded as one of the better player development coaches, and has received plaudits for his work in the Washington organization prior to joining the Rangers as an assistant last year. He would be someone who makes sense as a long-term plan, but his lack of experience could work against him. There are also the usual retreads that will be mentioned, but it's hard to imagine the Kraken would have any interest in names like John Tortorella or Joel Quenneville. The Kraken have to get this hire right, and in my humble estimation, Leach or Carle are the names who make the most sense. But all five names above will certainly be rumored at some point, and they would represent an upgrade on what they received from Bylsma.