Francis Refutes Claims of Player Upset as Cause for Kraken Firing Hakstol

Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis has firmly rebutted claims that players issued an ultimatum leading to the dismissal of head coach Dave Hakstol. In an interview with Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, Francis addressed a report by ESPN's Emily Kaplan suggesting player dissatisfaction prompted the coaching change. According to Francis, no players demanded Hakstol's removal, clarifying that team meetings typically focus on future preparations and performance evaluations rather than coach assessments.

"Zero players issued any ultimatums of any kind regarding the coach � that I can assure you," Francis stated emphatically. "That's not what those meetings are really about."

Supporting Francis's stance, veteran Kraken forward Jordan Eberle voiced his disappointment with the report, emphasizing that while players held varying opinions, none had threatened to boycott games if Hakstol remained in his position.

"Talking to a lot of guys, I know we all had different opinions, but by no means did anyone have an ultimatum that if [Hakstol] was still there, then they wouldn't play," Eberle asserted. "That's not how we as players or as an organization want to conduct ourselves."

Hakstol, originally from Drayton Valley, Alta., concluded his tenure with the Kraken with a record of 107-112-27. His leadership guided the expansion team to their inaugural playoff appearance last season.