A major chapter in Seattle Kraken history is coming to a close. The organization announced Wednesday that Ron Francis, the architect of the franchise, will step down as president of hockey operations at the end of the season.

This move marks a significant transition for the NHL's youngest team. Francis, 63, was the franchise's first general manager and was promoted to his current role just last April. The Kraken stated the decision was mutual, arriving as the team struggles through a difficult fifth season.

Currently sitting with a 32-34-11 record and mired in a slump of 10 losses in their last 11 games, the Kraken are on the brink of missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year. Their last postseason appearance was a memorable 2022-23 run that ended in a thrilling seven-game second-round series against the Dallas Stars.

Co-owner Tod Leiweke acknowledged Francis's foundational role, stating, "Ron’s leadership and vision were instrumental in building this franchise from the ground up." Francis himself reflected on the journey, calling it "an honor" and expressing pride in the culture and historic playoff run he helped create.

With Francis's departure, the Kraken are poised to embark on a new direction, seeking the formula to recapture the magic of their surprising and electric second-season playoff push.