Reports: Seattle franchise to name Francis as GM

Hockey Hall of Famer Ron Francis is expected to be announced this week as the first general manager of the NHL's expansion franchise in Seattle, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

Sources told the Seattle Times that Francis, 56, will likely agree to a multi-year contract -- with salary in the middle of the pack among other league general managers -- believed to be approximately five years in length, although nothing official has been announced.

Francis, who played 23 seasons in the NHL, spent four years as GM of the Carolina Hurricanes from 2014 until being fired in April 2018. While the Hurricanes did not make the postseason during Francis' tenure, his rebuilding effort laid the foundation for an Eastern Conference finals run this past season.

The Seattle franchise will debut in the 2021-22 season.

Francis scored 1,798 points, was named to four All-Star teams and won two Stanley Cups in his playing career with the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs.

--Field Level Media