The Seattle Kraken have endured a turbulent stretch since joining the NHL, failing to qualify for the playoffs in four of their first five seasons and watching their point total plateau at 79 last year, a figure that placed them sixth in the Pacific Division and 13th in the Western Conference.
In response, the franchise has turned to an external consultancy to dissect every layer of its hockey operations, from the front office hierarchy to the scouting pipeline and player development pathways.
Why the change now?
The Sportsology Group, a firm led by executive chairman Mike Forde, has been engaged to conduct the review. Forde, who previously served as director of football operations at Chelsea FC and has consulted with high‑profile clubs such as the Dallas Mavericks, brings a cross‑sport perspective to the audit.
The audit will examine the decision‑making processes that have kept the team from breaking through, with particular focus on the structure of the hockey department and the efficacy of its scouting and development programs.
With Ron Francis stepping down from his role as general manager, Jason Botterill, who once held the top post at the Buffalo Sabres from 2017 to 2020, now oversees hockey operations. Botterill’s appointment signals a shift toward a more aggressive roster construction strategy as the club prepares for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, where it holds the seventh overall pick.
The organization also faces pending decisions on a handful of unrestricted free agents, including forward Bobby McMann, veteran scorer Jaden Schwartz and defenseman Eeli Tolvanen, each of whom could influence the team’s immediate competitiveness.
While the Kraken have yet to announce a timeline for the audit’s completion, the move underscores a willingness to overhaul a system that has repeatedly fallen short of expectations.