New Kraken Coach Bylsma Wants Kraken To Mimic His AHL Firebirds

When it comes to new coach Dan Bylsma, Seattle Kraken fans right now are living the Carly Simon song.

Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin' me late
Is keepin' me waitin'

Bylsma can't turn his full attention to his new Seattle gig until his current one behind the bench of the Kraken AHL affiliate comes to a conclusion.

The final chapter of that saga begins Friday, when the Coachella Valley Firebirds play Game 1 of the Calder Cup Final against the Hershey Bears.

When Bylsma does turn his focus to the Kraken, he described the offensive philosophy he'll implement in one word to NHL Network: "Fast."

"I don't think I've ever coached a team that the word 'fast' and 'playing quick' and 'playing north' didn't come out of my mouth.

"That was the strength of the Kraken two years ago. Four really good lines doing it repeatedly. Jared McCann, Jordan Eberle, Jaden Schwartz; it's a team that's capable of playing that way."

Also attractive to Kraken GM Ron Francis when he named Byslma head coach last month, that "Disco Dan" has shepherded many of the prospects who will be following him to the NHL.

"I think that familiarity being a part of the organization, building a team from scratch and becoming a winning team in Coachella, is a big reason why I'm getting the opportunity with the Kraken."

Byslma was blunt about his two seasons (2015-17) coaching the Buffalo Sabres. That tenure concluded with no playoff appearances and plenty of reported player dissatisfaction.

"I took some lumps in Buffalo," Bylsma said with a wry smile. "When I got fired in Buffalo, it was a little time to reflect. I took a year off from coaching."

He began to get his mojo back during three years as assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings. "In that time, it came to light that I wanted to get back to head coaching.

"That opportunity came with the Seattle Kraken and Coachella Valley. Two years there has ignited my passion for being with the guys, establishing relationships, guiding a team. I think we've done a pretty good job of that over the past two years."

Yeah, if you consider back-to-back trips to the Calder Cup Final, a two-year regular season winning percentage north of .700, a two-year playoff series record of 7-1. In 2023-24 alone, Bylsma's Firebirds captured the Western Division regular season title with the AHL's second-best record, and are 10-2 so far in the postseason.

Now the Firebirds will attempt to finish the job, so Dan Bylsma can start his new one.