Ryan Donato, Seattle Kraken.
The last few years have been an exciting time for Seattle sports fans. On December 4, 2018, the NHL Board of Governors voted to approve the newest expansion team in the NHL. Since then, it has been a whirlwind of exhilaration and spirited anticipation. On July 23, 2020, the organization announced that it would henceforth be known as the Seattle Kraken.
From that moment forward, the ball quickly began rolling. Their Expansion Draft took place almost a year later, on July 21, 2021. The organization selected 30 players from around the league to join their team. Just days later, Seattle participated in their first Entry Draft. They drafted University of Michigan center Matty Beniers with the second overall pick. They continued to shape their roster in the offseason with several key additions in free agency.
The hard work began during training camp. Seattle invited 44 players and had just a few short weeks to reduce that number to 23. During preseason, they went 4-2-0, giving fans a taste of what things might look like during the regular season.
This team still faces many uncertainties as they navigate their way through uncharted waters as the new kids in town. Currently, there are more questions about the Seattle Kraken than there are answers.
Pacific Northwest Sports hockey experts take a deep dive into the Seattle Kraken before their inaugural season starts on Tuesday night. Joining me are Ed Stein, Jonathan West, and our newest contributor Lucas Burrell.
If we look at the last few seasons of each player currently on the Seattle Kraken, I would be quick to answer with a resounding no. Nevertheless, who thought the Vegas Golden Knights built a team that had the scoring power to take them to the Stanely Cup Finals in their inaugural season? It may be unfair to compare the two, but it will still happen whether we like it or not.
William Karlsson hadn’t scored more than 9 goals in the three seasons before being drafted by VGK. Yet, he went on to lead the team with 43 goals. He’s been one of their top five goal scorers since. Jonathan Marchessault is much the same. While he had a decent season in 2016-17 with the Florida Panthers, he spent most of his career in the AHL until drafted by Vegas. Since 2017-18, he has consistently been one of their top three goal scorers. Many other players on their roster have similar stories.
Many fans outside of Vegas referred to their team as the misfits. They were a group of players other teams didn’t want. They went on to prove everyone wrong and were one of the best teams in their inaugural season, and have continued to dominate the league.
As mentioned, it may not be fair or even logical to compare Seattle to VGK. Both teams seemed to have different strategies for putting together their team via the Expansion Draft and Free Agency. However, because they are in the same division and entered the league within years of each other, Vegas’ success sets the bar really high for Seattle.
On paper, I must admit, Seattle looks more like an AHL team than an NHL team. I have seen mixed reviews on the additions they have made to their roster this year. With the knowledge we have, Seattle doesn’t look like it will be a scoring threat. But a player’s past performance isn’t always indicative of what is to come.
All that to say, sometimes all a player needs is a new opportunity, a new outlook, and a group of players who have the same mindset to help them reach their full potential. Being a part of the Seattle Kraken’s inaugural season is a very special opportunity, and I think we will see a lot of players surprise us and thrive in a way they weren’t able to with their previous clubs.
Yes and no. Overall, they don’t have a top-tier genuine goal scorer with a track record of posting 30+ goals. However, they possess an interestingly talented mix of established veterans and depth pieces looking for opportunities to succeed. It’s hard to envision a breakout like William Karlsson’s during Vegas’ inaugural season.
But a major jump in production from guys like Jared McCann, Mason Appleton, and Vince Dunn shouldn’t surprise anyone. Combine this with the established presences of Jaden Schwartz, Jordan Eberle, and Mark Giordano, and you’ve got the recipe for average results at 5v5 and a potentially surprising power play situation.
This is a huge question mark. By the way Ron Francis constructed this team, I’d expect many 3-2, 2-1, 1-0 games. The Kraken has several 20-goal scorers, but at least one player will have to step up and be the go-to guy who can put 30 or more in the net. I’ll end by saying there is enough scoring to compete every night, but not enough to be a top team.
I don’t think there is enough proven firepower yet. They didn’t make a big splash in free agency, but pay attention to the youngster Morgan Geekie.
I’m not a big fan of this strategy. We know that the NHL is constantly evolving and, in today’s game, things are more about speed and skill than they are about size and strength. They won’t be able to have success just utilizing their size alone. However, if the team can tap into their skill and find a balance between skill and size, I could see Ron Francis‘ strategy paying dividends in the end.
While Francis did target size during the expansion draft, it appears that he did his homework when it comes to their underlying numbers. This is especially the case with defenseman Adam Larsson and Jamie Oleksiak. Both are over 6’3 and play with physicality but are also very competent skaters. This results in strong underlying metrics when it comes to strong possession and defensive metrics.
Despite all the uncertainty surrounding the offense, at least Kraken fans can have confidence in the team’s ability to limit their opponent’s chances.
It’s one of my bigger concerns. I’m worried that by the end of the season, opposing players will figure out how to skate around the Kraken, wearing them out. That would negate a physical game plan. If the Kraken make the playoffs, it’s a different story. Size, defense, and tight-checking is the rule rather than the exception.
Size helps on defense, but this is a speed game in today’s NHL. Being big definitely helps block shots and rub out plays on the boards, but it does make for slower skaters.
The Kraken’s biggest strength could possibly be the Divison they play in. Outside of the Vegas Golden Knights and possibly the Edmonton Oilers, the Pacific Division is a wash and the NHL’s weakest division. This opens up many opportunities for the Kraken to play their way into the top of the Pacific Divison.
They also have a really strong blueline, especially their Top-4. Paired with their goaltending tandem, that could make it really difficult for other teams to score against the Kraken.
In my opinion, their netminders are the team’s best attribute. Philipp Grubauer has put up Vezina quality goaltending numbers over the past few seasons as the starter in Colorado. In addition to this, Chris Driedger sneakily carried the surprisingly successful Panthers as the better half of a tandem with Sergei Bobrovsky. These two will be leaned on heavily this season, especially in the early going, while the rest of the roster builds chemistry.
I really like the top six defensemen. Opponents have no free rides once they enter the attacking zone. Overall, their size and physicality will keep would-be scorers from camping out near the crease. At the same time, players like Dunn and Giordano can move the puck and make big contributions to Seattle’s offense.
Seattle’s biggest weakness lies in their offense. A lot of the guys they brought in are looking to reinvent themselves and have a bounce-back season, but even then, there is no guarantee that will happen.
Do they have the firepower Seattle needs to be a formidable opponent? Compared to other teams in the league, on paper, that seems unlikely. Hopefully, this team can put things together early and prove me wrong.
There are a few options for this, but I’m leaning towards their lack of high-end finishing talent. Even though the Kraken has a lot of potential upside among many of the forwards, it’s hard to imagine any of them developing into elite snipers.
With skaters like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Elias Pettersson in the division, the Kraken might have trouble keeping up with their opponents on the scoreboard, regardless of their play on defense and in the net.
Faceoffs. The Seattle Kraken are woefully inept in the dot. Their top two playmakers Gourde and Wennberg will get eaten up by the league’s top centers. In an era where puck possession is at a premium, Seattle is at a disadvantage.
I have mixed thoughts on the Hakstol hire. While he does have past NHL experience, he doesn’t have the experience or pedigree that other potential candidates did. When he coached the Flyers, they never made it past the first round in the two years they made the playoffs.
Even as an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs, those teams never made it past the first round either. That doesn’t give me much confidence that Seattle could make it far if they do make the playoffs. However, I am trying to stay optimistic, although cautiously so.
I was very surprised when the team announced that he was their choice as head coach. His reputation isn’t the greatest due to his time with the Flyers. But he did coach his team to the playoffs two out of his three seasons behind the bench. It will be interesting to see how he does with a blank slate and reasonable exceptions compared to the hot stove of Philadelphia.
As a Rangers fan, I’m predisposed to not liking Dave Hakstol. Objectively, he wasn’t my first choice (I bet he wasn’t GM Ron Francis’s either) but he’s a good coach and teacher. He’ll have the Kraken ready to compete.
Ciara Durant: With the Seattle Kraken making the announcement that he is their first captain in franchise history, yes, I do believe he will play the entire season with Seattle.
Lucas Burrell: Yes, and I predict he’ll re-sign next off-season.
Ed Stein: I wouldn’t keep him; Giordano is worth at least a number one pick to a desperate team.
Jonathan West: He didn’t look thrilled to be here during the Expansion Draft, but as the newly named captain, Gio is here to stay.
Ciara Durant: I find this scenario to be unlikely unless Beniers plays a few games after the season in Michigan is over.
Lucas Burrell: We will be seeing him at the end of the season after his sophomore year at Michigan.
Ed Stein: I also believe Beniers gets PTO and plays in a few games with the Kraken at the end of the season.
Jonathan West: If Berniers has a great season at Michigan, we will see him right after in Seattle this year.
Ciara Durant: If we’re judging this on their performances from last year, maybe; Although, I hesitate to answer with such a small sample size in their time with the Kraken. Ask me again in three months.
Lucas Burrell: Yes, but Thatcher Demko and Jaroslav Halák also deserve some recognition.
Ed Stein: John Gibson is the most talented goalie in the division. If Anthony Stolarz can repeat his 2020-21 performance, then I give the not to Anaheim.
Jonathan West: We have to SLOW DOWN on the best goalie tandem talk, especially after Colorado’s epic collapse in last year’s playoffs.
Ciara Durant: I am not entirely confident in this answer. However, I feel like Yanni Gourde is one of the only players on the Seattle Kraken roster who has consistently scored over the last few seasons. Playing in Tampa Bay, the pivot was competing for ice time with the likes of Steven Stamkos, Blake Coleman, Anthony Cirelli, and Brayden Point.
It is likely he will have a bigger role in Seattle, which will give him more opportunities to show off his skill. Plus, nothing seems like a better motivator to up your game than being selected in the Expansion Draft. I believe his prior experience with Tampa, including his pedigree as a two-time back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion, will see him lead the Kraken in scoring this year.
Lucas Burrell: Jared McCann, points. Jayden Schwartz, goals.
Ed Stein: Schwartz is the best scorer they have, but don’t count out Vince Dunn.
Jonathan West: Since I’m in Vegas, I’ll spin the wheel on this one. Jared McCann will lead all scorers.
Ciara Durant: Philipp Grubauer. This answer may seem a little simple-minded, but I have a feeling the Kraken will rely on their blueline and goaltenders this season. Especially if they can’t put things together and find a way to score. Grubauer is fresh off an incredible season that earned him a Vezina nomination. He might end the season as their most valuable player if he can continue to ride that momentum and be a brick wall for his team.
Lucas Burrell: Jared McCann.
Ed Stein: Philipp Grubauer. He was worth the investment.
Jonathan West: Spinning the wheel again, two-way player Brandon Tanev for MVP.
Ciara Durant: I still have a lot of uncertainty about this team. However, I think with the current state of the Pacific Division, the Seattle Kraken could sneak into third place spot in the Pacific, with 93 points.
Lucas Burrell: 90 points which puts the Kraken in fifth place and no playoffs.
Ed Stein: 92 points sounds about right. The Pacific Division is weak, so that total should get them a fourth-place finish and maybe higher.
Jonathan West: More wheel spins: 81 points with the Kraken barely missing the playoffs and the Sharks win the division.
What are your predictions for the Kraken this season? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.