Oh, Seattle. When will you learn better?
The Seattle Kraken announced today that they've hired Chuck Fletcher as the team's General Manager. Fletcher served as General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers from 2018 until March 2023. Fletcher, also known as the guy who traded Claude Giroux, is most remembered for his inaction rather than his decision-making, especially when it came to replacing players like Matt Niskanen.
This is now the second time the Kraken have hired a former Flyers front office figure, the first being former head coach Dave Hakstol.
Kraken can't seem to get out of their own way
The Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken are a tale of two expansion teams. One has had consistent success, while the other struggles for any sort of relevance. Since their inaugural season, the Golden Knights have missed the playoffs just once. They've appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals three times, winning it once in 2023.
The Kraken, on the other hand, have only made the playoffs once, winning just one round in their five year tenure. From failing to properly develop Shane Wright to bungling a trade for Jason Robertson, the Kraken can't get out of their own way. It's hard to imagine things will get much better with Fletcher at the helm, a guy most known for a slow, methodical approach to building out a team.
The Kraken just can't seem to get it right, hiring a revolving door of NHL coaches and executives ranging from Dan Bylsma to Ron Francis. If they were hoping for some sort of drastic change, they're going to be disappointed - especially when considering Fletcher's tenure with the Flyers.
Briere and Fletcher are day and night
It's incredible to see the difference between current GM Danny Briere and former GM Chuck Fletcher. Where Fletcher failed to make any impact whatsoever during major deadlines, Briere takes every opportunity he can to improve the roster. He's willing to swing for the fences if it means he can get the team a star.
This offseason alone, Briere put together the craziest offer sheet in NHL history, locked down the Flyers' young core to multi-year deals and got Dan Vladar an upgrade in the backup department. Sure, it's been relatively quiet overall, but it's better to be quiet than chaotic -- especially when you consider teams like the Detroit Red Wings, who are mired in the midst of the most dramatic offseason in the NHL.
Fletcher, on the other hand, failed to even trade James van Riemsdyk at the deadline, leaving many frustrated with his tenure. His tenure will be remembered as a marginal, slow approach that failed to generate anything of note with the Flyers.
There's a lot to love about Briere, from his drafting and developing to his willingness to take big swings. He's a breath of fresh air when compared to the stagnant management style of Chuck Fletcher.
Hopefully the Kraken learn from their own mistakes. But, as of right now, it looks like more of the same.
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