Everywhere I go, people keep asking me the same thing: “So, are the Kraken going to be any good this year?” My answer? Better than the “experts” think.
Now, let’s not get carried away, I’m not penciling them in for a Stanley Cup parade just yet. But I do believe this team will be noticeably better, way more competitive, and a lot more fun to watch than last season’s version. The front office didn’t make any headline-grabbing splashes this summer, but they made subtle moves that improved the roster while leaving room for young players to step in. Combine that with a healthier lineup, a new coaching voice, and a few kids ready to pop, and you’ve got reasons to be optimistic.
Here are five reasons I think Kraken hockey is going to be a lot more fun this season.
Better than the results of last season
The Kraken weren’t nearly as bad as their record suggested. One of my favorite “sneaky” stats to look at is goal differential without empty-netters. Historically, teams hovering between zero and plus-five in that category have about a 50 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Last year, the Kraken finished at -11 in that stat, which is not good, but not bottom-of-the-league bad either. That put them 19th overall in this metric, while their actual spot in the standings was 27th. Translation: they played closer to a middle-of-the-pack team than the record showed. Close some gaps defensively, turn a handful of one-goal losses into wins, and you’ve got a much more competitive season ahead.
A new coach, a new mindset
It’s no secret the Kraken were way too easy to score on last season. Enter Lane Lambert, who replaces Dan Bylsma behind the bench. Lambert’s reputation leans defensive, and that’s exactly the kind of adjustment this team needed. Whether you call it the “new coach bump” or simply a philosophical shift, a more structured, defense-first approach should chip away at that goal differential problem right away.
Starting healthier and deeper than before
Injuries don’t get talked about enough when people assess the Kraken’s struggles last year. Jordan Eberle was off to one of the best starts of his career before missing 39 games. Vince Dunn, arguably the team’s most important defenseman, missed 20. And the real problem wasn’t just losing stars, it was the massive drop-off to their replacements.
This season, the Kraken are better positioned to absorb those inevitable injuries. The depth chart has more NHL-ready rookies and supporting players that appear ready to jump up from Coachella Valley without the same production cliff we saw last year. Jani Nyman, Ryan Winterton, Logan Morrison, Ville Ottavainen, and a whole host of others have significant pro experience now, and if they don’t make the Opening Night roster, they should be able to slide in and be more impactful than in past call-ups.
Complimentary new pieces
No, the Kraken didn’t dominate the offseason headlines, but their moves were strategic. Mason Marchment brings a net-front presence the team has lacked since its inception. Frederick Gaudreau is a right-shot center who kills penalties, chips in offense, and happens to be excellent in the shootout (hey, that might even swing a game or two).
WHAT A GOAL FROM MASON MARCHMENT 🌟
He gives the @DallasStars the lead in the third period! pic.twitter.com/llWPZBn4Mv
— NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2024
On the back end, Ryan Lindgren adds depth and grit to the blue line, while also giving the Kraken penalty kill a lift. None of these moves are splashy, but together they round out a roster that already had a solid foundation.
The kids are coming
This is the most exciting part. Shane Wright proved last year that he’s ready to be a real contributor. After a slow start and a short stint as a healthy scratch, he turned it on, finishing with 42 points in 61 games, a .7 points-per-game pace. If that’s his baseline, Year 2 could be a lot of fun.
Matty Beniers, meanwhile, hasn’t matched the offensive pace of his Calder season, but the talent is undeniable. Expect a motivated Beniers to take another step.
And then there’s the rookie watch. Berkly Catton, the Kraken’s 2024 first-round pick, has already proven everything he can at the junior level with 92 goals and 133 assists in his last 125 WHL games. He has the skill set to be a game-changer and will get every opportunity to stick with the big club. Jani Nyman might not start the season in Seattle, but after a strong cameo last spring, I’d bet on him playing significant NHL minutes before the year is out.
FIRST GAME, FIRST GOAL FOR JANI NYMAN‼️
And his parents were here to see it happen! pic.twitter.com/gWelDQKhQu
— NHL (@NHL) March 13, 2025
The bottom line
This Kraken team isn’t a Stanley Cup contender, and that’s fine. What they are is a team with an outside shot at the playoffs, a chance to be competitive deep into March, and, most importantly, a roster that’s a lot more fun to watch than last year’s.
If the top players stay healthy, if the defense tightens up, and if the kids keep progressing, Seattle could be playing meaningful hockey when it matters most. At the very least, fans should buckle up for a season with more goals, more growth, and more hope for the future.
Go Kraken!!!
I’m very ready to start watching some new Kraken hockey. Can’t wait to slip into a practice!
💯
Let’s Go! I’m ready
Glad to see the Kraken turned down the trade offer from the New Jersey Devils for Jared McCann.
He has two years left at 5 million per year. A bargain especially if he regains his scoring ability from his past seasons.
Getting pumped for October…
Go Kraken!!!
There’s no credible source that says an offer was made. The fanbase really needs to learn to filter a lot of the rumors to the trash
The whole idea is hilarious. “Seattle needs to build their roster, starting with getting rid of Jared McCann.”
Huh?
you missed the most exciting part. The possibility of the stash line
Marchment – Stephenson – Tolvanen
Just reading a report that – among others things – the NHL/CHL transfer agreement will go into effect this season meaning Catton can go to Coachella rather than back to Junior. Good news for Seattle if it’s true, bad news for Spokane maybe.
Even if the CBA rules go into effect, the CHL still needs to agree to it. No negotiations have occurred yet on that front
As I understand it the NHL/CHL have already reached agreement as to the new CBA. I would assume this also extends to the timelines for implementation.
The CHL part is the important part. The CBA portion is meaningless without the CHL agreeing to change its agreement with the NHL. Don’t skip important parts of comments
Yes, you’re correct. I didn’t skip it, I was just mistaken. I was under the impression the NHL and CHL had already agreed to modify the MOU but I was wrong about that.
From what I read they are doing a phased role out of some provisions, namely the playoff salary cap change and the dress code thing. Pretty sure the chl assignment thing is still set to go into effect in ’26.
Yeah, according to PuckPedia “an effort is being made to negotiate this with the CHL for the 25-26 season”. So it is not a done deal. Stay tuned…
I want to be optimistic but I find myself largely uninterested. A new coach means another adjustment period to learn yet another new system. Some revolving deck chairs in the middle 6. They need to show they are better on the ice for me to care.
Wow. I actually feel sad for you. Each to their own. I hope you find some happiness in watching NHL hockey someday. Maybe be a Florida fan?
By the way…lol
https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2025/09/seattle-kraken-best-addition-worst.html
Apparently it was a mistake to unload Burky. Eyssimant I can wrap my brain around, but Burky?
Regarding Matty, all you have to do is watch the late season game against VAN when he beats Petterson (the $11mil one) in the dot, then goes straight to the net to deflect a Monty shot from the point into the net. Magic.
Correction. It might have been a Dunner point shot. Then it was Evans with a Tolvi deflection soon after that.