It’s a great time to be a Colorado Avalanche fan. The organization has had plenty of stability over the last few seasons, both on the ice and in the front office.
President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic and GM Chris MacFarland have been a formidable team, running the Avalanche smoothly. The combo has brought several successful seasons of Avalanche hockey, including the 2022 Stanley Cup.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about the Seattle Kraken. The Kraken on Wednesday announced the departure of its first GM and President, Ron Francis.
More change coming in the NHL
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 8, 2026
Ron Francis is stepping down in Seattle
Francis was in charge of building the club’s first roster during the 2021 expansion draft. He was also the architect of the Kraken team that upset the Avalanche in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.
That was the Kraken’s only playoff appearance. Since then, the club has struggled to string together a solid season. That had apparently changed this season, with the Kraken potentially heading back to the playoffs. But a 1-7-2 stretch in their last 10 doomed the squad.
Someone had to sadly shoulder the blame, with Francis opting to step down. Current GM Jason Botterill will be taking over the hockey leadership duties for the time being.
Like the recent firings in New Jersey and Toronto, someone had to take the fall for their teams’ shortcomings. The organization made their choices, and, well, will be looking to pick up the pieces moving forward.
As for the Avalanche, the club is truly lucky to have a consistent and reliable front office. The moves that Colorado has made over the years have been the reflection of a clear direction and philosophy.
That’s something that’s rubbed off on the team, both on and off the ice. It’s incredible what stability and focus at the top of an organization can do for the rest of it. The trickle-down effect that good leadership has separates good organizations from great ones.
If the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup this year, the success will have started with ownership and the front office. Their vision shifted to the coaching staff and executed by the players on the ice.
That’s why owners, executives, as much as players, deserve to share credit for winning championships.