The NHL will have the 32nd team join the league in the 2021-22 season and though the new team does not even have a name yet, they will have their first general manager – according to Seattle Times, Hockey Hall of Famer Ron Francis will be appointed for the job.

NHL Seattle on Thursday posted a "Toast to the Fans" on Twitter which read: "Join us tomorrow at Queen Anne Beerhall for a Toast to the Fans with NHL Seattle CEO Tod Leiweke and a special guest." This "special guest" was assumed by many to be Francis who will be announced as the team's new manager.

Last month, Leiweke said at the NHL Draft that he and his business partner, NHL Seattle's co-founder and co-majority owner Jerry Bruckheimer, have been looking for a general manager and if they find the right person for the job, the team are ready to sign him/her.

According to Seattle Times, the new team has talked to multiple candidates including Ken Holland, GM of the Edmonton Oilers, Kelly McCrimmon, GM of the Vegas Golden Knights and Steve Yzerman, the executive vice president and GM of the Detroit Red Wings.

Before he turned to executive roles, Francis played 22 seasons in the NHL, with four All-Star Games, the fifth-most regular season scoring of 1,798 points, the second-most regular season assists of 1,249, the fourth-most regular season games played of 1,731 and two Stanley Cup trophies under his name.

Francis served as general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes for four years and president of hockey operations of the team for a month. If he joins the new Seattle team, he will be in charge of coach hiring, management staff recruiting and team building.