Seattle Kraken fire coach Dave Hakstol after giving him an extension last summer

Seattle Kraken coach Dave Hakstol, a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in 2022-23, was fired by the team on Monday.

“Following our end-of-the-season review, we have decided to make a change at our head coach position,” general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. “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.”

The expansion Kraken entered the league in 2021-22 as the NHL’s 32nd team and finished 27-49-6 for last place in the Pacific Division. They improved by 40 points last season, finishing with 100 points, to clinch a playoff spot in their second season.

They then upset the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in the first round before losing to the Dallas Stars in seven games in the second round.

The Kraken rewarded Hakstol last summer with a two-year contract extension through 2025-26. Seattle, though, dropped to a 34-35-13 record this season and missed the playoffs by 17 points.

The Kraken also said assistant coach Paul McFarland won’t be back next season.

Hakstol is the third NHL coach to be fired since the end of the regular season, joining the Buffalo Sabres’ Don Granato and the San Jose Sharks’ David Quinn. The Sabres hired Lindy Ruff as coach.

Seven coaches were fired during the season.