Seattle NHL team adds name credibility with Ron Francis as first GM

The yet-unnamed Seattle NHL expansion franchise has added name credibility to the organization, with Ron Francis coming aboard as the first GM.

The Vegas Golden Knights altered expectations for all future NHL expansion franchises by reaching the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. The Seattle franchise will start play in 2021-22, and according to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times Ron Francis will be named the team’s first general manager.

After a Hall of Fame playing career, Francis moved into the Carolina Hurricanes’ front office in 2006. He took over as general manager in 2014, but was fired in April of 2018 as an ownership change occurred. The Hurricanes never made the playoffs during his tenure as GM, but Francis deserves credit for building the foundation of a roster that made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.

The pool of experienced general manager candidates for Seattle was not deep, and a chunk of the few that were out there landed elsewhere together (Ken Holland and Dave Tippett as GM and coach in Edmonton) or got promoted by their current franchises (Kelly McCrimmon-Vegas, Bill Zito-Columbus).

Francis will reportedly get a five-year deal with a mid-range annual salary compared to other NHL general managers. He’ll have full authority on the shape of the front office and the hiring of coaches, along with some input into the team’s decision on a name (which is expected to come by year’s end).

Francis got criticism during his tenure in Carolina for not being aggressive enough in free agency or in pulling the trigger on big trades. But the draft and develop strategy he focused on yielded some nice wins (Sebastian Aho, 35th overall pick in 2015) and a young, homegrown core the Hurricanes are now reaping the benefits of. For a new franchise, two years out from its first entry draft and the expansion draft, Francis’ resume and acumen looks like a great fit.