Pascal Vincent Brings Adaptability to Kraken Coaching Staff
Seattle's new assistant returns to an NHL bench after two seasons in Laval, where he won the AHL coach of the year award.
Pascal Vincent is beginning his first season as a Seattle Kraken assistant after two years with the AHL's Laval Rocket, bringing experience from a difficult NHL head-coaching assignment and a record of developing players.
Seattle hired Vincent on June 11 to join Lane Lambert's staff after Jessica Campbell's departure. Vincent said his immediate role is broad: lighten Lambert's workload, support the rest of the staff and help players at every stage of their careers.
His most recent NHL position came in Columbus, where he became head coach four days before 2023 training camp after Mike Babcock resigned. The Blue Jackets won four of their first 19 games, lost nine straight during one stretch and used 47 players in an injury-filled season. General manager Don Waddell fired Vincent after the season.
Vincent then returned to his hometown to coach Laval. The Rocket finished first overall in 2024-25 with 101 points, and Vincent won the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding coach. Laval won the North Division again last season before losing its opening playoff series.
Seattle considered Vincent for its staff a year earlier, but he chose to remain with Laval after one season. He now returns to an NHL bench after earlier stops as a Winnipeg assistant and Columbus associate coach, plus five seasons leading the Manitoba Moose.
The Kraken averaged 2.73 goals per game last season, fifth-lowest in the NHL. Vincent is expected to help improve the offense while working with young players including Matty Beniers, Kaapo Kakko, Mackie Samoskevich and Berkly Catton.
Vincent said development also applies to veterans. He pointed to Adam Larsson entering his 16th season as an example of a player who can still find ways to improve.
