Seattle Adds Chuck Fletcher to the Front Office

The Kraken hired former NHL general manager Chuck Fletcher as a senior advisor to GM Jason Botterill, the team announced Wednesday. Fletcher brings decades of front-office experience — he built competitive rosters in Minnesota and Philadelphia over a long GM career — and his arrival adds a significant voice to a decision-making structure that has been under scrutiny after three straight missed playoffs.

The timing is notable. Training camp is imminent, McCann and Daccord remain unavailable, and the roster still has open questions the front office hasn't fully answered. Bringing in someone with Fletcher's background suggests Botterill wants more experienced counsel in the room, not less.

What Fletcher's role actually looks like day-to-day is the part worth watching. Senior advisor is a title that can mean almost anything — sounding board, scout, de facto co-GM — and the Kraken haven't elaborated publicly on the scope. For now, it reads as a front office adding a layer, not restructuring one.