A strategic addition to the front office
The Pittsburgh Penguins have named former captain Ron Francis as their new Special Advisor, Hockey Operations, a move announced this week that underscores the franchise’s commitment to blending legacy with forward‑thinking strategy.
In this role, Francis will lend his extensive experience to strategic planning, roster construction and the implementation of best practices across the organization, helping shape the team’s direction both on and off the ice.
Francis arrives after a distinguished 23‑year playing career in which he captured two Stanley Cups, earned a Selke Trophy, three Lady Byng Memorial Trophies and a King Clancy Trophy, and amassed 1,798 points — ranking fifth in NHL history for regular‑season scoring.
His management résumé includes a decade‑plus stint with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he helped assemble a championship‑contending roster that reached the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, and a foundational period with the expansion Seattle Kraken, guiding the club to its inaugural playoff appearance.
The Penguins also highlighted Francis’s recent election to the franchise’s Hall‑of‑Fame as part of the Class of 2025, cementing his lasting impact on the organization.