The Pittsburgh Penguins have named Ron Francis as Special Advisor, Hockey Operations, the team announced on Friday.
In his new role, Francis will support Pittsburgh’s hockey operations leadership group with strategic planning, roster construction, and the optimization of internal systems and processes aimed at implementing organizational best practices. He will also provide input during pivotal league periods including training camp, the NHL Draft, trade deadline, and free agency, while assisting minor league operations and player development staff. Moreover, his advisory duties will extend across multiple operational areas rather than a single decision-making position.
Francis, 63, is a two-time Stanley Cup champion as a player with the Penguins in 1991 and 1992. Over his 23-year NHL career, he recorded 1,798 points (549 goals, 1,249 assists) in 1,731 games, ranking fifth all-time in total points. His 1,249 assists trail only Wayne Gretzky in NHL history, and he is one of just 50 players to surpass 500 career goals. He was selected fourth overall in the 1981 NHL Draft from the Soo Greyhounds and also had his number 10 retired by both the Soo Greyhounds and the Carolina Hurricanes organization. His career achievements include the Selke Trophy (1994-95), three Lady Byng Trophies (1995, 1998, 2002), and the King Clancy Trophy (2001-02). He also amassed a career-high 119-point season in 1995-96 and accumulated 613 points in 533 games during his eight seasons in Pittsburgh.
After retiring following the 2003-04 season, Francis began his executive career in 2006 with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he spent 12 years in multiple roles including Director of Hockey Operations and General Manager (2014-18). During that period, he was part of management decisions that included drafting Sebastian Aho (2015), Jacob Slavin (2012), and Jordan Staal (2012). However, his tenure in Carolina also included prominent long-term contracts such as Victor Rask’s six-year, $24 million deal and Scott Darling’s four-year, $16.6 million contract.
Francis later became the first General Manager of the Seattle Kraken in 2019 and was promoted to President of Hockey Operations in 2025-26. He guided the expansion franchise through roster construction, expansion draft decisions, and the development of its hockey operations infrastructure, including its AHL affiliation with Coachella Valley. Seattle’s best season under his leadership came in 2022-23, when the Kraken finished 46-28-8, surpassed 100 points, placed fourth in the Pacific Division, and reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history. His run also included drafting success that strengthened the organization’s prospect pool, though it also featured several long-term contracts such as Philipp Grubauer, Chandler Stephenson, Andre Burakovsky, and others.
The Penguins made this move after a 98-point season in which they returned to the postseason for the first time since 2022, ultimately losing in the first round to the Philadelphia Flyers. Francis’ experience as both a player and executive, along with his familiarity with Pittsburgh, will benefit the organization as it balances its competitive window and long-term roster planning.
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