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Who Will the Kraken’s Coach Be? And, What About That Salary Cap

TSN’s Darren Dreger sheds some light on who may become the new head coach of the Seattle Kraken, plus how the salary cap will affect the team.

TSN’s Darren Dreger notes on the latest Insider Trading that Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis is in no rush to announce a new head coach, but there’s been speculation as to who the team might be considering. As Dreger hinted, and as many fans probably expected, there are some early candidates.

After the franchise announced their new team on Thursday, talk will shift to coaching, players, the expansion draft, and more. Before many of the players can be decided upon, the team needs a bench boss and Dreger notes that Francis still intends to take his time finding the right person to lead this team during a crucial period in their development. One of the names being tossed about is former Vegas Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant.

Dreger says:

Well, I can tell you that Ron Francis believes, and he still has time on his side and he’s in no rush, he hasn’t been in a rush for quite some time. Obviously, there’s been some complications introduced by COVID-19, but the Seattle Kraken intend on taking the time that they have to make the right selection and that will mean the rest of the 2019-20 season. See what happens in the 24-team tournament. See if there’s any coaches changes that they come out of that from both a head coaching perspective and an assistant coaching stand point as well. Obviously, there’s been ample speculation around Gerard Gallant, formerly of the Vegas Golden Knights, essentially since he’s been let go by the Vegas Golden Knights. So that remains consistent. I think it’s safe to call him in the mix, but the process hasn’t kicked into high gear just yet.

Related: Seattle NHL Team Reveals New Team Name

How Will the Kraken and Whoever Coaches Build Their Team?

When asked if the organization may benefit from the recent salary cap decisions and inevitable struggle by teams to fit their rosters under the flat ceiling, Dreger believes the new noted salary cap of $81.5 million could help the expansion club.

The Kraken don’t have a salary cap yet. With no players on the roster, they can pick and choose their contracts to make up the $81.5 million and that will include looking around at 31 other teams and asking, ‘What are you willing to do here?’

Dreger also notes that 31 teams might call Seattle to make arrangements and sell their case for a move. He notes:

So there could be teams that are up against the cap or who have to think boldly that look at a high earning player and say ‘look, this guy is a quality individual, are you interested? Perhaps, we’re interested in sweetening it to make sure you’re interested.’ 

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