Penguins bring back Ron Francis for front office role

Blue Jackets Penguins Hockey Former Pittsburgh Penguins player Ron Francis, top left, waves next to Kevin Stevens, right, as he's introduced during a ceremony inducting him into the 2025 Pittsburgh Penguins Hall of Fame class before an NHL hockey game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Pittsburgh Penguins, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed) (Matt Freed/AP)

By Dan Kingerski

This article originally appeared on PGHHockeyNOW.

Recently departed Seattle Kraken president of hockey operations Ron Francis is coming back to the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.

Last season, Francis, 63, was moved up to president of hockey operations after spending six years as the Seattle Kraken’s first franchise general manager. However, rumors of diverging opinions on key matters between him and general manager Jason Botterill persisted, and in April, Francis announced he would step down as president.

Friday, the Penguins announced Francis would rejoin the organization as Special Advisor, Hockey Operations to president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas. With the Penguins, Francis won two Stanley Cups (1991, 1992) as a player and served as captain following Mario Lemieux’s retirement for the 1997-98 season.

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