NHL Power Rankings: Each team’s reason for hope in 2024
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Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporter
The battle atop the Power Rankings continues again this week, with the New York Rangers ousted by the Boston Bruins.
Beyond the rankings, this week we have identified a reason for hope for all 32 NHL fan bases — whether it’s a current player or group, or perhaps a savior to arrive via the 2024 draft.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors each send in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Dec. 22. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 70.27%
Next seven days: vs. TB (Jan. 6), @ COL (Jan. 8), @ ARI (Jan. 9), @ VGK (Jan. 11)
Boston has the sort of depth every NHL team wished for this Christmas. In 2024, the Bruins are hopefully going to keep making the most of it. Head coach Jim Montgomery loves adjusting his lineup based on Boston’s matchups, and with skaters like Jakub Lauko and Oskar Steen ready to step in, this gives the Bruins an advantage beyond what their top players (see: David Pastrnak & Co.) bring every night.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 71.62%
Next seven days: @ MTL (Jan. 6), vs. VAN (Jan. 8), @ STL (Jan. 11)
The Rangers will be hard-pressed to top their excellent play in 2023, but they can hope to sustain it. Backup netminder Jonathan Quick performing like the Jonathan Quick of old has been perhaps the Rangers’ greatest surprise (and asset) of the season, and the potential of having both Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil back healthy at some point will only strengthen New York’s case as a genuine Cup contender deep into the new year.
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 67.11%
Next seven days: @ NJ (Jan. 6), @ NYR (Jan. 8), @ NYI (Jan. 9), @ PIT (Jan. 11)
The Canucks have had a captivating season to date and hopes are understandably high for 2024 based on past performance. They lead the NHL in goals per game this season, have a Vezina Trophy-worthy goaltender in Thatcher Demko, a fired-up J.T. Miller leading the charge offensively and Quinn Hughes on track for a Norris Trophy. There’s no limit to where Vancouver could wind up this season.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 67.95%
Next seven days: vs. FLA (Jan. 6), vs. BOS (Jan. 8), vs. VGK (Jan. 10)
Colorado has some stupendous top-end offensive producers like Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar. What the Avalanche need is more secondary scorers. The return of Artturi Lehkonen — who’s been sidelined with a neck injury since early November — will be a huge boost to Colorado’s depth and advance the Avalanche attack.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 70.27%
Next seven days: @ ANA (Jan. 5), @ ARI (Jan. 7), vs. CBJ (Jan. 9), vs. CHI (Jan. 11)
The Jets wrapped up 2023 on a heater that included defeating some of the NHL’s top teams — some more than once! Their hopes in 2024 hinge upon more of the same. Winnipeg is already one of the league’s stingiest teams defensively and the better Connor Hellebuyck performs in net, coupled with the Jets’ surging third and fourth contributions, puts Winnipeg on a path to many more positive outcomes.
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 66.22%
Next seven days: vs. NSH (Jan. 6), @ MIN (Jan. 8), vs. MIN (Jan. 10)
Dallas might have been adrift when starting goalie Jake Oettinger was hurt — until Scott Wedgewood answered the bell. He’s given the Stars hope that not only will they continue to lead the Central Division while Oettinger recovers, but that Dallas won’t need to rush its No. 1 back, either. It’s a best-case scenario the Stars have to be loving as they resolve for an even brighter new year.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 65.71%
Next seven days: @ WSH (Jan. 7), @ TB (Jan. 9), @ FLA (Jan. 11)
The Kings already have everything — from offense to defense to goaltending — dialed in. So just how much better will 2024 be when Viktor Arvidsson (yet to play in a game this season following back surgery) enters the chat? He’s been a strong, consistent contributor for the Kings in the past, and the hope is he will be again to level L.A. up even further.
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 65.79%
Next seven days: @ COL (Jan. 6), @ STL (Jan. 9), vs. LA (Jan. 11)
Florida might be the best team no one talks about enough — and that should all change in 2024 given how the Panthers are trending. They entered the new year on a four-game heater fueled by a red-hot Sam Reinhart (23 goals in 36 games), suddenly surging power play (with five goals in four games) and a top quality goaltender in Sergei Bobrovsky. The hope for Florida is they can stay this balanced while everyone else starts to take notice.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 62.82%
Next seven days: vs. NYI (Jan. 6), @ COL (Jan. 10), vs. BOS (Jan. 11)
The Knights going through a recent — and rather uncharacteristic — slump could be a good thing for what’s to come in 2024. This group has stayed mostly healthy but appeared fatigued; something a turn of the calendar (and a frustrating shutout Winter Classic loss) can possibly help to cure. Vegas always finds a resiliency to surprise us all; why should this new year be any different?
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 62.50%
Next seven days: @ SJ (Jan. 6), vs. SJ (Jan. 9), @ NYI (Jan. 11)
The Leafs finally made the change it needed in net by waiving Ilya Samsonov and putting their full faith in Martin Jones to carry the load until Joseph Woll can return. The hope is with a stable No. 1 netminder the Leafs see better results from their defensive efforts in 2024 and quit squandering an advantage like boasting the league’s goal-scoring leader, Auston Matthews.
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 60.53%
Next seven days: @ WSH (Jan. 5), vs. STL (Jan. 6), vs. ANA (Jan. 11)
Carolina has been through the ringer with their goaltending situation this season (Antti Raanta struggled; Frederik Andersen is out indefinitely due to a blood clot issue) and it’s been on rookie Pyotr Kochetkov to man the crease. Well, the Hurricanes are entering 2024 with a goalie on the rise as Kochetkov went 5-1-1 to close out last year and looks well positioned to keep building on that success as a true difference-maker.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 60.53%
Next seven days: @ VGK (Jan. 6), vs. VAN (Jan. 9), vs. TOR (Jan. 11)
The Islanders are a constant enigma — this season is no different in that respect — yet they have plenty of high hopes for 2024 based on the consistency of their top-tier players. Ilya Sorokin? Still one of the league’s best goalies. Mathew Barzal? Quieting the naysayers as a first-line star beside Bo Horvat. Special teams? On the rise. New York is impossible to pigeonhole, and there’s abounding hope in the Islanders reaching their full potential by spring.
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 58.33%
Next seven days: vs. CHI (Jan. 5), vs. VAN (Jan .6), @ TB (Jan. 11)
New Jersey has Jack Hughes. When that’s the case, there’s no reason not to feel hopeful about what the new year will bring. Hughes is averaging nearly 1.50 points per game to power the Devils offense and can be a one-man wrecking ball as needed when skaters like Timo Meier are sidelined by injury. If New Jersey is to make the most of 2024, it’ll be with Hughes at the forefront.
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 58.33%
Next seven days: vs. CAR (Jan. 5), vs. LA (Jan. 7), vs. SEA (Jan. 11)
Washington was hit by an injury bug late in 2023 that should hopefully resolve itself by early 2024. Goaltender Charlie Lindgren is doing better than expected in his recovery and Max Pacioretty (torn Achilles tendon) making his debut this week was a massive boost for the Capitals’ offense given other missing players. The healthier Washington gets, the more hope there is for a happy new year.
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 55.71%
Next seven days: vs. OTT (Jan. 6), @ CHI (Jan. 9), @ DET (Jan. 11)
The Oilers have truly turned their season around since replacing former coach Jay Woodcroft in early November. Their hopeful resolution in 2024 is to not let their momentum slide. Calvin Pickard has hopped in as a steady backup for a revamped Stuart Skinner in net, and Connor McDavid has registered a point in all but three games since coach Kris Knoblauch took over. There’s hope yet for Edmonton to be a true contender this spring.
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 57.89%
Next seven days: vs. CGY (Jan. 6), vs. PIT (Jan. 8), vs. MTL (Jan. 10)
Philadelphia is already right in the middle of this season’s playoff race — and frankly, who saw that coming? The Flyers’ hopes of staying there well into 2024 revolve around a continued buy-in to coach John Tortorella’s system, and the high-level contributions from some of the team’s youngest skaters, including Tyson Foerster and Cam York. There’s good reason to believe Philadelphia can stay in play for a postseason slot.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 54.05%
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Jan. 7), vs. BOS (Jan. 9), vs. CGY (Jan. 11)
Arizona is a scrappy bunch that hasn’t received enough credit for their gumption — or how well they performed overall in 2023. Connor Ingram ranks among the league’s top netminders behind a forward group benefitting from consistent performances by Clayton Keller and Lawson Crouse. Arizona is surprisingly deep and decidedly confident; did you see the four-goal comeback against Colorado? There’s reasonable hope in the desert for 2024 to include a playoff return for these Coyotes.
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 55.13%
Next seven days: @ DAL (Jan. 6), vs. ANA (Jan. 9)
The Predators needed some positivity to end 2023 and got in the form of 21-year-old goaltender Yaroslav Askarov earning his first NHL win. That’s a big deal for the Predators’ hopes going into 2024 — and beyond. Askarov was Nashville’s first-round pick (11th overall) in 2020; to see him succeed early on is a shot in the arm for the entire Predators’ squad. And, maybe, their winning prospects over the next few months.
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 53.75%
Next seven days: @ BOS (Jan. 6), vs. LA (Jan. 9), vs. NJ (Jan. 11)
Tampa Bay entered 2024 with the league leader in points — that would be Nikita Kucherov — tearing his way through opposing teams’ defense in a way the Lightning must hope will continue well into this season’s second half. And if the Lightning want to get real greedy, they’ll resolve to have Kucherov’s success be a rallying cry for steadier contributions from the club’s bottom-six forwards, too.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 56.76%
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Jan. 6), @ PHI (Jan. 8), vs. VAN (Jan. 11)
Pittsburgh has been reinventing itself recently — and that’s a good thing for 2024. The Penguins have talent to spare but what they’re establishing now is a new identity centered around more than just trying to beat teams off the rush. Pittsburgh’s gone grittier, meaner and more physically imposing. The hope is that shift keeps translating into victories.
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 53.85%
Next seven days: @ ANA (Jan. 7), vs. EDM (Jan. 11)
The Red Wings gave up more goals per game in December than any team in the league. That makes their hopeful resolution for 2024 rather apparent: Stop doing that. Fortunately for the Red Wings, they are perfectly capable of righting the ship. A midseason slump is better than one in early spring, and if Detroit got that slip out of their system, then improved play by their goaltenders and a recommitment to the defensive side of the game will put the Wings back on their previous winning trajectory.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 52.56%
Next seven days: @ BUF (Jan. 9), @ WSH (Jan. 11)
Seattle set the tone for 2024 with a resounding 3-0 win over Vegas in the Winter Classic to mark a first-ever shutout victory (courtesy of Joey Daccord) at the league’s annual outdoor showcase. And the Kraken show no signs of cooling off their nine-game point streak. What Seattle lacks in flash it makes up for in work ethic (and strong goaltending from Daccord) that can carry the Kraken up those Pacific Division standings from here.
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 51.32%
Next seven days: @ PHI (Jan. 6), @ CHI (Jan. 7), vs. OTT (Jan. 9), @ ARI (Jan. 11)
Calgary has struggled all season to find chemistry up front, but it looks like first-year coach Ryan Huska has finally found some winning combinations for 2024. Top center Nazem Kadri is excelling with Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil, Blake Coleman and Mikael Backlund seem to be in a groove and Elias Lindholm has settled into a rhythm with Yegor Sharangovich. If the Flames can keep stoking those fires into the new year, maybe the energy will eventually reach slumping star Jonathan Huberdeau.
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 52.70%
Next seven days: @ CAR (Jan. 6), vs. FLA (Jan. 9), vs. NYR (Jan. 11)
The Blues shuffled things up behind the bench, saying goodbye to Craig Berube and installing Drew Bannister. He, in turn, moved the Blues forwards around in late 2023 and found some chemistry that hopefully grows stronger in 2024. St. Louis’ top line has been especially potent, and Jake Neighbours is making an impact in a second-line spot. New coach, new year … what else is in store for the Blues?
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 48.65%
Next seven days: @ CBJ (Jan. 6), vs. DAL (Jan. 8), @ DAL (Jan. 10)
Minnesota got off to a rough start in 2024 when six players, including Jared Spurgeon, Filip Gustavsson and Kirill Kaprizov were moved to injured reserve. But here’s hoping that adversity is what bonds the Wild together. Minnesota was turning a corner in December with their punishing style of play and there’s no reason the Wild can’t challenge one another to step up and stay focused while their netminder, top defenseman and top forward heal for the season’s stretch run.
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 46.15%
Next seven days: @ PIT (Jan. 6), vs. SEA (Jan. 9), vs. OTT (Jan. 11)
The Sabres are brimming with talent … that they simply didn’t get enough out of in 2023. The hope is that 2024 is when that will change. Jack Quinn is finally back — and producing — following an Achilles tendon injury, and there’s truly nowhere to go but up for Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens and Alex Tuch from here.
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 48.68%
Next seven days: vs. NYR (Jan. 6), @ PHI (Jan. 10), vs. SJ (Jan. 11)
Montreal is sticking to the plan laid out of by GM Kent Hughes that could (eventually) deliver results. It’s the Canadiens’ hope that their continued patience in developing the club’s top skaters and learning from setbacks (like how poor the penalty kill has been of late) will pay dividends at some point in 2024, and for Montreal to be a long-term contender down the road.
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 42.50%
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Jan. 6), @ WPG (Jan. 9)
Columbus selected Adam Fantilli at No. 3 overall in last year’s draft, and the hope is for 2024 to be a real proving ground for the Blue Jackets’ new top-line center. The team had to fast-track Fantilli up the lineup once Boone Jenner and Patrik Laine were injured and the 19-year-old has held his ground between Johnny Gaudreau and Justin Danforth. All Columbus can hope for is to see that development continue well into the new year.
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 41.18%
Next seven days: @ EDM (Jan. 6), @ CGY (Jan. 9), @ BUF (Jan. 11)
The Senators changed most everything about themselves in 2023 — new owner, new coach, new GM, etc. — in the hopes that 2024 will deliver better outcomes. The Senators were supposed to be Atlantic Division risers, and there’s believe that can still be the case this year with a renewed vision for the team in place.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 36.49%
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Jan. 5), vs. DET (Jan. 7), @ NSH (Jan. 9), @ CAR (Jan. 11)
Anaheim was blunted by injuries late in 2023 (including to top skaters Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish) and the hope here is that things can’t possibly get worse come 2024. It’s unlikely the Ducks will suddenly surge up the standings even when all their ailing parties return, but at least Anaheim can be hopeful about the organization’s depth of young talent to power it through brighter years ahead.
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 31.58%
Next seven days: @ NJ (Jan. 5), vs. CGY (Jan. 7), vs. EDM (Jan. 9), @ WPG (Jan. 11)
Chicago’s one great hope for 2024 (and 2025, and 2026…) is Connor Bedard continuing to be everything they expected — and more. To watch the 18-year-old produce at nearly a point-per-game pace already on a team without much other star power is incredible. He’ll be the Blackhawks’ life force long after 2024 comes and goes.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 26.92%
Next seven days: vs. TOR (Jan. 6), @ TOR (Jan. 9), @ MTL (Jan. 11)
San Jose ended 2023 on schedule for a draft lottery win. If all goes well in 2024, the Sharks’ hopes of landing the No. 1 overall pick (for the first time in franchise history) will come to fruition.
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Greg Wyshynski, ESPN
Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper was highly critical of two goalie interference calls that went against his team in its Game 5 loss to the Florida Panthers, which eliminated the Lightning from the Stanley Cup playoffs on Monday night.
“This is clearly a turning point in the game. If anyone’s going to talk about this game, they’re going to talk about the goals that were taken away,” Cooper said after the 6-1 loss to Florida, a score inflated by two empty-net goals by the Panthers.
The first goalie interference review was a coach’s challenge initiated by Florida at 13 minutes of the first period. Video review determined that Tampa Bay’s Anthony Duclair impaired Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky‘s ability to play his position in the crease prior to Anthony Cirelli‘s goal.
Cooper felt that Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling was holding Duclair on the play.
“You saw our reaction. It’s just one of those … it’s very frustrating,” Duclair said. “I always have a ref screaming in my ear. I thought I was out of the blue paint. When you look at the video, I was clearly out of there. It is what it is, it’s a judgment call.”
The second goalie interference play happened at 17:48 of the second period, as a goal was immediately waved off when the officials said Cirelli made incidental contact with Bobrovsky while battling defenseman Niko Mikkola. Tampa Bay challenged the call, but it was upheld on video review.
“Obviously, it sucks. But it’s our job to go out there and keep battling and trying to get the next one. When you think you have a goal and it goes the other way, you get down a little bit. But it doesn’t matter. You go out there and keep playing,” Cirelli said.
Cooper felt that Bobrovsky embellished on the play.
“I’ll give the goalie credit. He completely quit on the play. Didn’t see it, flailed and maybe there’s incidental contact at most. But now we have to challenge it because they saw the reaction from the goaltender,” Cooper said. “Bob’s doing the right thing. He duped them. So be it. But we have to make that challenge.”
Cooper felt the spirit of the goalie interference rule wasn’t violated by either play.
“In this league, goals are at a premium. All we’ve done is make the rules for more goal scoring. Every year it seems like there’s something that we tweak so there’s more goal scoring. That’s great. But there’s mandates. The words were to pull a goal off the board, it has to be unbelievably egregious. That’s the standard,” he said.
Cooper also felt that both plays were indicative of the officials overprotecting goaltenders during battles in front of the net.
“Are net-front battles not allowed anymore? That’s part of everybody’s game. The boxing out that goes there is like prison rules in the playoffs. But it’s not prison rules for the goalie? We might as well put skirts on them then, if that’s how it’s going to be,” he said. “They have to battle through stuff too. It’s a war down there. I think we’re letting the goalies off the hook. And they have way more pads on than everybody else does.”
Cooper reiterated that he didn’t believe the calls cost the Lightning the series, but that they did change the momentum in the game.
“This is just my opinion, I felt it was a little unfair. In the playoffs, how do you let those slide,” he asked.
The Panthers won the series 4-1 and advanced to face the winner of the Boston Bruins–Toronto Maple Leafs series. The Bruins hold a 3-1 lead in that series, potentially setting up a rematch of last season’s epic first-round upset by Florida in seven games.
For the Lightning, the loss begins a critical offseason for the franchise. That includes the future of 34-year-old star captain Steven Stamkos, who is an unrestricted free agent this summer. He had 40 goals in 79 games this season for Tampa Bay, his 16th with the franchise.
“That never crossed my mind. I’m out there trying to help my team win. Regardless, we’re trying to score. There’s a lot of pride on the line,” said Stamkos, who waited near the tunnel to the dressing room to greet every Lightning player as they left the ice after the game.
Cooper downplayed the fact that Stamkos might have played his last game with the Lightning.
“I don’t know if there will be much conversation. I hope not, anyway. He belongs here. We know it. He knows it,” the coach said. “He and I have grown up together. He’s a heck of a player. He’s in control of his own destiny. I don’t know what’s going to happen. He feels like a Bolt for life, but only he and [GM Julien BriseBois] can answer that one.”
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Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporter
TORONTO — Auston Matthews‘ status is “yet to be determined” for the Maple Leafs when they try to stave off elimination in Game 5 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against Boston on Tuesday.
Matthews has been battling an illness that he was able to play through in Game 3 and the first two periods of Game 4 on Saturday. Toronto’s team doctors ultimately pulled Matthews from the third period of Saturday’s 4-2 Leafs’ loss, which put the Leafs down 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Toronto’s top center did not practice with the team Monday but was expected be on the trip to Boston. A decision will be made at some point before Game 5 whether Matthews is healthy enough to play.
“Of course, we’re hopeful that he’s available and feeling good and back to himself,” coach Sheldon Keefe said. “That’s what we’re hopeful for. But we’ve played well with guys out in the past. We started the series without [William Nylander] and had to deal with that. But we’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
Matthews has one goal and three points in the series, including Toronto’s game winner in Game 2. The illness has kept Matthews from being a full participant in all but one of the Leafs’ on-ice sessions since then as they’ve tried to get him healed. Keefe said Sunday that the issue is how this sickness has “lingered” and becomes worse when Matthews exerts himself in a game.
Given that Matthews was unable to finish out Game 4, Toronto practiced Monday as if he wouldn’t be in the lineup. Max Domi took over Matthews’ spot centering the top line with Mitch Marner and Tyler Bertuzzi, while Nylander moved up to the second line with John Tavares and Matthew Knies. Domi also worked on the Leafs’ top power-play unit at practice, a special teams sore spot for Toronto in the series at just 1-for-11.
Matthews is coming off a tremendous regular season where he notched 69 goals and earned a third Rocket Richard Trophy in four years as the league’s top goal scorer. Though his postseason production has slowed, his absence would create a void and teammates are resigned to forging ahead without him if needed.
“It’s not ideal to be without Auston Matthews,” Tavares said. “You’re talking about one of the best players in the world. But there’s tremendous depth, talent and character on this team and it’s a great opportunity for all of us to step up, raise our game, which is already needed and necessary.”
Keefe slotted Domi onto the top line when Matthews exited Saturday and the third period was the Leafs’ best of the night (although they already trailed Boston 3-0 going into that frame). It was an “easy decision” for Keefe to put Domi back there and allow the veteran to try to ignite more offense from linemate Marner (who has just assists in the series).
“[Domi’s] played center for us a lot this season,” Keefe said. “He’s done well with Mitch, he’s done well when we’ve had guys out, whether it was Auston or John, when they’ve been out Max has played in that spot and he’s done a nice job for us. He’s a very versatile guy, he can do different things and play different positions and with different types of players.”
The Leafs’ coach was less forthcoming about who would be between the pipes for Toronto in Game 5. Ilya Samsonov started all four games, but Keefe pulled him in favor of Joseph Woll for the third period in Game 4 after Samsonov gave up three goals on 16 shots, including a dagger from David Pastrnak in the final minute of the second. Woll made five saves in relief of Samsonov.
“We’ll find out tomorrow,” Keefe’s responded when asked who would get the call in net. But he also stressed the importance of balancing the scales against Boston with better netminding and special teams than Toronto has showed in the series. The Bruins are 6-for-13 on the power play and Jeremy Swayman — who has started three of the four outings for Boston — has a .956 SV% and 1.34 GAA to go with his 3-0-0 record. Linus Ullmark started Game 2 in the Bruins’ lone loss.
“They’ve had the edge in those areas in the series and that’s tough to overcome. We got to take steps there,” Keefe said. “Getting more saves at critical times is a big part of that. They’re obviously getting lots at the other end.”
Boston also practiced Monday, but without captain Brad Marchand or Danton Heinen. Coach Jim Montgomery said both players took maintenance days. Injured forward Justin Brazeau and defenseman Derek Forbort are also “an option” for the Bruins in Game 5 but Montgomery acknowledged some concern in possibly putting Forbort in midway through a series after he’d been sidelined since March 2 with a pair of ailments.
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Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter
The Seattle Kraken have fired head coach Dave Hakstol after three seasons, the team announced Monday.
Hakstol, who was the first coach in the Kraken’s short history, was dismissed after the team failed to make the playoffs after finishing with 100 points and advancing to the Western Conference semifinals last season.
The club on Monday also announced that assistant coach Paul McFarland would not return next season.
“I thank Dave for his hard work and dedication to the Kraken franchise,” general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. “Following our end-of-the-season review, we have decided to make a change at our head coach position. These decisions are never easy, but we feel that this is a necessary step to help ensure our team continues to improve and evolve.
“Dave is a good coach and a terrific person. We wish him and his family all the best. We will begin our search for the Kraken’s next head coach immediately.”
Francis had hinted that changes could be made less than a week after the season ended.
Hakstol, who went 107-112-27 with the franchise, becomes the second NHL coach to be fired this offseason after the San Jose Sharks moved on from David Quinn last week.
There were questions about the Kraken’s decision in June 2021 to hire Hakstol, the former Philadelphia Flyers coach who had been an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Those questions remained during Seattle’s inaugural season, when the team went 27-49-6 and won the fourth pick in the NHL draft lottery, which was used on Kingston Frontenacs center Shane Wright, who at one time was projected to go first in his draft class.
Hakstol’s second season drew more praise than criticism. The Kraken became arguably the league’s biggest surprise, winning 46 games and reaching the 100-point mark — a turnaround of 40 points from the previous season — before advancing to the conference semifinal round and losing to the Dallas Stars.
It also led to Hakstol being one of three finalists for the Jack Adams Award, which is given to the head coach that has “contributed the most to his team’s success.” He also was rewarded with an extension through the 2025-26 season.
“We had a real good season last year, went probably better than we expected and our staff did a good job and they got rewarded for it,” Francis said. “This season didn’t go as well as we had hoped and then you got to look at things and try and make decisions at the end of the season. That’s where we ended up at this point.”
Part of the Kraken’s success stemmed from finishing second in team shooting percentage — with a success rate of 11.6% — and tying for fourth in goals per game.
Questions again surfaced after Seattle opened this season with four straight losses before another eight-game slide from late November into early December, but the club went on a 13-game points streak that saw them win nine in a row, including a win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights in the Winter Classic at T-Mobile Park on New Year’s Day.
The offense, which buoyed them with consistency in 2022-23, led to them capsizing in 2023-24 — the Kraken went 13-16-3 after the All-Star break — as they finished 18th on the power play and 29th in both shooting percentage and goals scored.
Ultimately, those offensive struggles — along with a run of inconsistent performances — led to the Kraken finishing 34-35-13 and 17 points behind the Golden Knights for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
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