Why Executives Selected Dan Bylsma As Next Seattle Kraken Coach

Count NHL Network analyst Mark Parrish among those glad Dan Bylsma is back in the NHL with the Seattle Kraken.

"I'm so happy for 'Disco Dan,'" said Parrish of Bylsma, who served as an assistant coach with the Islanders for one season. "I got to play for him in '05-'06. He brings so much energy to the game. His enthusiasm is intoxicating. You can't help but be excited with his attitude.

"I love the fact that he's been around, he's paid his dues." Parrish pointed out. "And, he has won in Pittsburgh." Bylsma, called up from his AHL coaching job late in the 2008-09 season, led the Penguins to that year's Stanley Cup.

"Now, he's obviously connecting well with this next generation of players at Coachella Valley." Parrish noted his .715 winning percentage over two seasons, fashioning a gaudy record of 94-32-18. "What a great transition. I'm just happy for my buddy Dan."

Not surprisingly, Kraken general manager Ron Francis and owner Samantha Holloway echoed many of those same themes at Bylsma's introductory news conference. Their comments are today's Kraken Reaction .