What To Know: The Kraken’s second head coach has been part of the Kraken organization since its inaugural season, joining as assistant coach of AHL Charlotte when Seattle and Florida shared a split squad. When the Coachella Valley Firebirds started AHL play in 2022-23, Bylsma, impressing Francis as an evaluator and relationship-builder, was the natural choice to become a head coach. Led CVF to the Western Conference championship and within one Game 7 overtime goal of winning the AHL’s Calder Cup. In season two, Bylsma continued rousing success with second lofty regular season winning percentage of exactly .715. Debuted as NHL head coach midseason in 2009, leading Pittsburgh to win that spring’s Stanley Cup against defending champ Detroit. Bylsma’s Pittsburgh teams made the playoffs in each of his six seasons.

Fun Facts: Fastest NHL head coach to reach 200 regular season wins. Played 429 NHL games for LA and Anaheim (nearly 50-50 with 220 for Kings and 209 for Ducks), one of 34 NHLers to play for both southern California teams.