from Tom Gulitti of the NHL website,

In a Q&A with NHL.com, Francis discussed the Kraken's turnaround in their second season, rookie forward Matty Beniers' impact, hosting the 2024 Discover NHL Winter Classic and more.

How do you feel about the season the Kraken has had so far and what are your thoughts looking forward to the rest of the season?

"It's been a good year to this point. I think we're [three points from] first (in the Pacific Division) and we're [four] points from being out of the playoffs, so it's a tight run and still a lot of hockey left to be played. I'm really proud of and happy with our guys. They've come and worked hard every night and it's good to see them having some success and enjoying themselves. A few more smiles around there this year, which is nice to see."

Can that atmosphere and chemistry you've developed go a long way in these cases and do you want to be careful not to disrupt that with a trade?

"The Cups that I won (with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992), chemistry played a big part of it. So, yeah, I think that's always a big part of assessing your team and your locker room. You see if there are needs, and if there are, you address them and if you're happy with things, you let it kind of go. So, we'll what happens over the next three weeks here until the deadline."

Beniers leads NHL rookies with 17 goals and 36 points in 51 games. How has it helped for him to be able to contribute like that at 20 years old?

"He's just a terrific kid. He is a great hockey player. He's going to be great hockey player as he gets stronger, but just a terrific kid. He's one of our engines. He pushes the pace in practice. He pushes the pace in games. He's an easy-going guy who has fit in really well with our veterans. He's got a bright future ahead of him."

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