Matty Beniers, Seattle Kraken (photo by Jenn G, via Flickr).
The anticipation for the 2022-23 season is currently at an all-time high. After a less-than-stellar inaugural season, fans have high hopes for a turnaround. A new season is bound to be filled with many new opportunities to thrive and succeed.
As the Kraken players, coaching staff, and front office crew prepare for a new season; there is still much uncertainty about what will come. This team still has plenty of growing to do and a lot to figure out. Especially if they expect to be competitive in any capacity.
Many changes took place in the Pacific Northwest over the offseason. These changes have the potential to produce positive results for the Seattle Kraken.
From the trade deadline, free agency, and the addition of Shane Wright and others through the draft, the Seattle Kraken added what look to be several key pieces to their roster.
With the recent introduction of Bouy the Troll, their continued work in the community, and the changes already being set in motion to further improve the fan experience at Climate Pledge Arena, it looks as though Kraken supporters are in for a fun season no matter the results.
Before the season gets into full swing, we’ll take a look at some of these bold predictions and what could be in store for the Kraken throughout the 2022-23 season.
The regular season started Wednesday, and the Seattle Kraken has yet to name a captain. While there are several good options at the team’s disposal, naming a captain is very serious business. There has been nothing but silence on the topic, which could only lead to the assumption that there may not be a captain for Seattle this season.
As mentioned before, while Mark Giordano did a decent job as captain, the decision to name a leader so early in the franchise’s history could have been premature. It is important to let leaders grow into their position. While Gio was a great captain for the Calgary Flames, he grew up in that organization and with the players around him.
In recent years, many teams opted out of naming a captain shortly after losing the player who previously held that position. Giordano is no Seattle Kraken legend, but there is lots of pressure when taking on such a significant role.
What the Seattle Kraken need this season is to split the responsibilities between their strongest leaders. Let the players focus on building chemistry and consistency, and allow their next leader to reveal himself through his actions and leadership.
Splitting up the workload takes the pressure off of one player. With so many new faces looking for guidance going into the new season, it’s almost too much for one person.
More than ever, the Seattle Kraken must work together as a team. If their leadership group can set the example and show the rest of the team what it looks like to work cohesively as a team in such an important role, that could be the sign of a beautiful start to the 2022-23 season.
This prediction may be a little outlandish, but there is a first time for everything. Eventually, there will be a time when the Seattle Kraken will make the postseason. Is there a reason it couldn’t be this season?
The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers will most likely be the top teams in the Pacific Division this year. Their pool of talent is too impressive not to dominate the Pacific Division. From there, however, it remains to be seen which other teams will qualify.
Anaheim and Los Angeles could both be competitive. However, both teams are still trying to figure things out themselves at the tail end of their rebuilds. There is a chance the Vegas Golden Knights will be dominant again this season. Nevertheless, they gave up a lot of talent to bring in Jack Eichel, who looked like a shell of himself last season.
Vancouver has struggled over the past few seasons, finishing fifth in the division last season. They have made a few roster changes this summer, but how well that works out for them remains to be seen. Don’t sleep on the Sharks, either. San Jose is hungry to win after facing difficulties the last few years.
Seattle made a ton of improvements to its team over the offseason. Rookies Matthew Beniers and Shane Wright are sure to add a scoring touch. They also added Stanley Cup champion Andre Burakovsky to the mix, who was fifth in scoring for the Colorado Avalanche last season.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, a former Columbus Blue Jacket, has proven he can be a 50+ point player. Justin Schultz could be a great addition to the blue line. If their returning players can continue to piece it together, the defensive core could be a Kraken strength.
Martin Jones isn’t a huge upgrade in net, especially in the wake of losing Chris Driedger. However, I’d expect Philipp Grubauer to figure it out and take steps forward to play as he did prior to joining Seattle.
Daniel Sprong hasn’t really figured himself out at the NHL level yet. He has struggled to find a team to call home over his career and hasn’t found his footing.
The reason may be that he hasn’t really been given a fair chance. But Sprong has the potential to be an impactful bottom-six player in the league. His success could be an important key to the Kraken’s overall success.
When Sprong was traded to the Anaheim Ducks during the 2018-19 season, I often sang his praises. However, I also often thought that Randy Carlyle, Bob Murray, and Dallas Eakins all mishandled his development by not giving him adequate opportunities to prove himself.
He had some success with the Washington Capitals, although he didn’t put up big numbers. But I still don’t believe he has reached his full potential.
Sprong played a limited amount of games with the Seattle Kaken last season after coming over from the Caps. Going into training camp, he found himself on a PTO without a firm deal and had to prove himself,
Give the young man some credit; he took his coaches’ notes and showed vast improvements. Sprong was the true underdog story of this year’s training camp, earning a one-year contract and a roster spot.
He is an offensively gifted player with an amazing shot; it’s the other side of his game that leads other teams to pass on him.
“I think the message was loud and clear, what I got in the offseason. I think everyone knows in this league I can provide offense, but it’s the other side of the game [that needs work]… I think in the three games I’ve played in, in the practices, I’ve shown that I’ve listened and matured in that. I think I’ve had a good camp.” – Daniel Sprong, Seattle Kraken Forward
He has all the offensive skills to be a dynamic player at the NHL level. His biggest hurdle will be getting his coach and teammates to trust him. There is always a level of trust and responsibility that needs to be upheld on the ice, especially in last-minute situations, and that is where Sprong struggles.
While I don’t believe he will be one of the Kraken’s top scorers with an outlandish amount of points, this feels like the season Sprong finally puts things together. His creativity, along with his ability to score, has helped him find success in the past. Now Sprong needs to focus on rounding out his game and sticking with it.
In a perfect world, both Matty Beniers and Shane Wright would be nominated for the Calder. However, this is not a perfect world.
Both Beniers and Wright have been highly anticipated by Kraken and NHL fans. What it will come down to is who outplays the other.
Both Top 5 picks in consecutive drafts, Beniers and Wright, have the chops to be big stars for the Seattle Kraken. The dynamic duo made the team out of training camp. And from what it sounds like, the rookies solidified a spot on the team for the remainder of the season.
As the first draft pick in Seattle Kraken history, Matty Beniers has high expectations to live up to. He played in a short stint with the Kraken last spring after his season with the Michigan Wolverines (NCAA) ended. In 10 NHL games, Beniers put up 9 points (3g, 6a).
Expect him to pick up exactly where he left off last season, ready and willing to compete.
Beniers draws praise for his relentless determination and spirit. He’s a hard worker and wants to win. In his cup of coffee with the team last year, the soon-to-be 20-year-old showed the character and leadership skills necessary to have a very successful and lucrative NHL career.
Shane Wright is coming off of a 94 points season as the captain of the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL). He has been a prolific player who had eyes on him for years.
Over the last year, his abilities have been directed by scouts and pundits. After falling to fourth overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Wright has plenty of motivation to push himself to prove the doubters wrong.
Naturally, Wright is a competitive player. His excellent two-way game will translate well to NHL ice, and he will add a much-needed scoring touch to the Seattle Kraken.
In the end, only one of them will be nominated for the Calder. One of them will outplay the other just slightly; a little friendly competition is healthy.
Both rookies are in a good position to have incredible rookie seasons, setting a strong foundation for the Seattle Kraken’s future success.
What are your bold predictions about the Seattle Kraken’s 2022-23 season? Let us know in the comments below!