Thank you all for the kind welcome you have given me to the hockey community. I couldn’t believe you went to all this trouble for little ol’ me. When I wrote my first piece, I expected the most controversy to come from me placing Kraken at the top, not my joke about being allergic to patriotism. (This would have been a whole different conversation if we were discussing the majestic Golden Eagle, but with the Golden Knights I know we wouldn’t be considering the superior bird.) I do also want to acknowledge the Tacoma Rainiers – I’m sorry I didn’t know you exist, but the only sports I care about are hockey and soccer, so unfortunately you slid under my radar.
I will now crow about my victory. I am overjoyed by the name Seattle Kraken. With serious jump around my apartment enthusiasm, I attempted to go on their merch website, but it was overloaded with too many fans and I couldn’t access it. (I love the sweaters by the way.) This name is above all going to be fun. I love the fact that this name is over the top ridiculous and wouldn’t have it any other way. I go to hockey to put away my anxiety, so I didn’t want a name that was too serious. This is perfect. The Great Pacific Octopus salutes us.
And maybe I just have a history with fictional characters as mascots, so find this comforting. My High School’s mascot was the White Hawks, which they made up when they got rid of the school’s original racist mascot. My college was the Gryphon’s – this was definitely an attempt to name us after Godric Gryffindor, but the school went with the more classical version of the name.
I would’ve been happy with any name except Totems. For those of you who still don’t understand why Totems is a racist name, I’ll give you another clue. The logo for the Totems is a reference to totem poles, which have no connection to the Indigenous Nations in Washington. Totem poles were stolen by white explorers traveling through Alaska and Canada and displayed here in Washington. You cannot “honor” a wide swath of Indigenous people by either claiming something from another tribe represents them or reminding a different group of a legacy stolen.
I want to drop the humor a bit – the comments on my previous article proved my point that women hockey fans aren’t made to feel welcome in this sport. Right off the bat people came out with comments about how I didn’t know anything about hockey or that I should go check myself into a psychiatric ward, simply for expressing an opinion. I freely admit that I’m not a number one expert in hockey – my knowledge of offsides comes from playing soccer and I have no idea what half of the statistics mean – but I find it fun to watch the sport and I’m a writer, so I wrote a tongue-in-cheek piece about potential names and people acted like I spat in their dinner.
This kind of reaction is something women who express interest in anything outside of the mainstream come to expect. We’re told we must prove ourselves or we’re not real fans. Guess what? Fans shouldn’t be excluded for being relatively new to the game, or not devoting their life to being an encyclopedia of hockey knowledge. (Also don’t get me started on expressing an interest in something men find “trashy”.)
For some people though, the issue wasn’t that I don’t know enough about hockey or that I’m a woman, it’s that I’m not the kind of woman they want as a hockey fan. I don’t check my personality and morals outside the gate when I enter the hockey world. Who I am as a person infuses everything I do, what I like, and what I tell others. When I hear about owners with a multimillion-dollar net worth refusing to pay arena workers for lost income due to COVID-19, that immediately makes me lose any respect for that team. When Gritty runs around with a Pride flag that has black and brown stripes on it, I admire the Flyers even more.
If I kept silent, I would’ve been accepted. In 2013, women represented up to 40% of the viewership of NHL games, yet the league does almost nothing to show support for women fans or do anything to encourage our participation. (Pink jerseys do not count.) When we don’t complain the league is happy enough to take our money. They raise us up as giving tacit approval of everything they do. When I joke about team names that would make me feel better as a fan, suddenly I’m not welcome in the space. And if my opinion about something so small causes this kind of reaction, you can extrapolate how fans in years past have responded to people writing about heftier penalties for players who use racial slurs or asking for any crumb of acknowledgement for women’s hockey players.
I’m coming to the Seattle hockey team earnestly trying to love them. I want them to be a team which I can be proud of supporting, that helps out in the community and acknowledges when they do something wrong, not a team where I continually have to put a caveat on my admiration of them. Right now, with the environmentally friendly arena, free mass-transit to games, the first female hockey scout, and the name Kraken, I’m happy to be a supporter of the team. I can’t wait for a chance to cheer, “Let’s get Kraken!” But I will always be looking for a joke or a chance to point out when a team or player’s action have consequences beyond the ice. I will be loud, you may find me obnoxious, but I’ll still be writing. If I can cause any change, all the better for it.
If you honestly hate me and want me gone though, I have good news – I’m starting a GoFundMe for anyone who would like to contribute to me leaving this city*. If it reaches 1 million dollars, I will find a new place to terrorize with all my opinions.
*These funds will be going to Black Girl Hockey Club and the Washington Wild.
I don’t fit the bill for your average hockey fan. I’m a liberal arts graduate who spends most of my time re-watching Sherlock and reading YA novels. I didn’t like hockey, despite growing up in Minnesota, until a few years ago. With a job at a non-profit, I can’t afford an NHL Network subscription, let along tickets to a live game more than once a year. But I have become completely overwhelmed with excitement over the new Seattle NHL team.
When it was announced, it felt like my team – one I could really get behind. It was in a place I was excited to be moving to and didn’t have the baggage that other teams have. I also love the Wild, but with years of history baked into the franchise that I didn’t know about, it felt hard to call myself a fan. The Seattle team would be a fresh start and my true entry-point into a sport I was beginning to love. Planning would be ramping up just was I arrived in town, so the timing of it was perfect. (Am I a little annoyed to have lived in Seattle for almost two years with no team yet? Yes.)
Then the name debate started. I quickly realized that there were some names I and my other female friends who love the sport wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole. Female hockey fans have had to learn how to be discerning. We’ve carved out a place for ourselves in a league that has never made us feel welcome. We name favorite players hoping they won’t be revealed to be misogynistic messes. And while this new NHL franchise feels like a fresh start, the choice of a name could throw it all over the precipice.
Ahead of the much anticipated and much delayed name announcement, here is my definitive ranking of possible names. (These are the 15 names that have registered trademarks in place.)
Let’s start with the name that will make me erase this team from history: 15 – Totems – As well as having a misogynism problem, it’s no surprise that hockey has a racism problem. Recently, when a private group chat that (now former) player Brendan Lepsic was a part of was leaked, the NHL took the basic step of condemning his language and actually calling it misogyny, while also ignoring the racist language used in those messages. Players of color are taunted on ice, both by fans and other players. This attitude makes even die-hard fans reticent to introduce new people to a sport that feels unable to treat BIPOC with respect.
The Totems, being the minor league team in Seattle from 1958 – 1975, was one of the first names that got floated around for this hockey revival. The history of this team does not justify choosing a name that will be used derogatorily towards Indigenous people. Diehard fans of sports teams such as the R*dskins or the Blackhawks like to believe their names show respect to Indigenous people, while at the same time engaging in racist caricatures at games. Choosing the name Totems would give fans an implicit excuse to show their hidden (or not hidden) racist thoughts. Though I am hopeful this name will not be chosen, I know if it was there would be protests and I would be outside with them, not spending money on the team.
14 – Metropolitans – I know there’s history to this name, being the first team from the US to win the Stanley Cup, but let’s be truthful – it’s boring. Seattle is not so metropolitan compared to other cities in the league. I would fall asleep at a Metropolitan s game.
13 – Eagles – I’m allergic to patriotism.
(I would leave it at that, but there are also like 100 other teams called the Eagles, so let’s not.)
12 – Whales – While not a terrible name, and actually relevant to our area, the closeness of the Canucks and the history of the old Hartford Whalers NHL team make this a perplexing name choice.
11 – Emeralds – Seattle may be known as the Emerald City, but to me using a precious gem stone as a team name turns me off. Hockey is not a sport easily accessible for the proletariat. I already mentioned that as a fan I barely get to watch games (with the exception of my darling MN Whitecaps, which stream their games for free) and if you want to play hockey, there’s an extreme money mountain you need to overcome for gear and travel. I wouldn’t be disappointed if this was the name, but nor would I be filled with joy.
With the reveal of Amazon’s Climate Pledge Arena, which heavily features green-washing, the Emeralds gains a point for increased likelihood of being chosen.
10 – Seals – This name moved up and down a few times, before settling here. There is nothing wrong with it. Seals are lovely creatures. It simply doesn’t excite me. It doesn’t have the fierceness I’d want for a hockey team.
9 – Firebirds – I actually love this name a lot. It has a juxtaposition that delights me – a creature of fire & flight skating around on ice. The pitfall comes from its lack of connection to Seattle. Nothing about it makes me think of this town. When trying to find a connection, I discovered that the firebird is a figure from Slavic folklore. While King County’s population comes from all around the world, it’s not known for having Slavic immigrants. I’d rather this name go to a city that can do it justice.
8 – Cougars – Another perfectly wonderful name. I had this up higher on my list until someone reminded me that we already have the Washington State Cougars. Let’s not overcrowd it.
Now on to the good names!
7 – Rainiers – Oh mighty Rainier, it’s always a good day when we can see you in the distance. I’m not a super fan of this name for two reasons. First, the beer. I think there might be a few copyright issues that come up. Second, the history. Mt Rainier’s original name is Tahoma. Rainier comes from Rear Admiral Peter Rainier, the friend of a white explorer. I don’t think we need to add this accolade to his name.
6 – Steelheads – This name fills my two major criteria, connection to Seattle and fierceness. I would love to see an old man on the river as a mascot. More than simply the fish, this name is connected to the sports history of Seattle – there was a West Coast Negro Leagues baseball team called the Seattle Steelheads. If this name was chosen, it would be wonderful to acknowledge this history, perhaps with an exhibit in the arena or inviting the families of former players to games. Unfortunately, this could also be a huge misstep if the previous history of the name is ignored. Its main downfall though comes from how little it excites the community. Most people aren’t overjoyed with a fish taking the center stage.
5 – Sea Lions – I think this could be a really fun name. Sea lions are both playful and strong. It can highlight our connection to the water and I can already see a personality video of players meeting sea lions. One small negative on this could be logo design – a large grey mass isn’t the most interesting to look at.
4 – Sockeyes – Similar to the Steelheads, this is a pretty good name, with an unfortunate fish tie-in. I like it a bit better, because of the pun, but I can almost guarantee it will not be chosen. Romance Novelist Jami Davenport has a series of books on the love lives of the fictional Seattle Sockeyes hockey team and she is unwilling to give up her trademark. You go girl.
3 – Renegades – When I polled my friends on this name idea, I was the only one to have Renegades this high, but I’m keeping it there because it’s my list. I love the idea of going against the system. I believe it could easily tie into the Seattle punk and grunge scenes and I would be excited to support a team with this name. I will add that with the team’s new tie to Amazon, this contain a bit more irony than I can handle.
2 – Evergreens – In case you couldn’t tell by this list, I consider myself a bit of a hippie. I love the idea of our team being trees. Evergreens tops the list of names that tie in with Amazon’s Climate Pledge Arena, which does put a sour taste in my mouth. To be clear, I am overjoyed by the construction of a carbon neutral arena, no fracked “natural” gas, and all of the other wonderful environmental features that are planned. Maybe there could be environmental tie-ins at events, including volunteering opportunities? But the fact of the matter is that this whole thing is a goodwill-buying PR grab by Bezos, whose company is one of the biggest contributors to the climate crisis. Amazon has fired organizers who want to hold the company accountable to the climate crisis and Amazon’s emissions continue to grow despite claiming they will be reduced. Bezos may believe naming the stadium Climate Pledge Arena will get concerned people off his back, but he couldn’t be more wrong.
My extreme emotions about Amazon aside, I still love the name Evergreens. I don’t think the team could go with a tree for the mascot, but I would hope they don’t choose a lumber jack either. I would hope for a forest ranger, or, if they really want to go wild, a hermit.
1 – Kraken – You knew it was coming. Say it with me, “Release the Kraken!” How can you pass up this line? If there’s any name that can secure a young fan base, it’s this one. I know the odds are against its selection, but I’ve already promised myself I would be buying Seattle Kraken merch, no matter the official name.
Late breaking edition, I have heard a rumor that Kraken is the official name. But it came from someone who thought Kraken had to do with crabs, so it’s not entirely reliable.
If I had to choose which name I actually think will be picked, I will be placing a very loose bet on the Evergreens or the Steelheads. I don’t have an insight on what the Powers that Be will choose, but I have to hope it’ll be exciting. This team could be a chance to listen to hockey’s wide array of fans, instead of playing it safe with the old (white) standards. I’m looking forward to an announcement, whenever it comes.
With the growth of the salary cap potentially stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s an argument to be made that the NHL Seattle expansion team is in an even better position to prey on other franchises desperate to shed salary or protect star players, like Vegas did in 2017.
During the general manager meetings in early March 2020, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly projected a salary cap between $84 million to $88.2 million.
That was before things went haywire.
About a week later, the 2019-2020 NHL season was put on pause. The pandemic still remains and there’s no end to the “pause” in sight.
The upper limit of the NHL salary cap is determined based on the revenue accumulated by the NHL in previous seasons, according to CapFriendly.com. The NHL salary cap is a “hard cap” meaning there’s no leeway for teams to go over and pay a “luxury tax,” like the MLB and the NBA.
If the regular season — or in a doomsday scenario, the entire Stanley Cup playoff, is cancelled, the lost revenue from ticket sales, TV revenue, etc. would significantly hinder the league’s seasonal revenue, and in turn, future season’s salary caps.
According to The Athletic’s James Mirtle, the salary cap is unlikely to spike up as expected and in an absolute best-case scenario, it would rise by about $1 million, up to $82.5 million.
Unless an NHL’s front offices also doubled as a public health experts, it’s unlikely NHL teams baked in a global pandemic into their team’s salary cap projections.
This could potentially affect NHL Seattle in the lead up to the 2021 Expansion Draft in four different ways:
There are myriad teams in salary cap hell and teams do not protect talented players with hefty salaries in an effort to free up cap space.
Teams make “protective deals” with Seattle, ensuring Seattle selects a certain player in exchange for something else back. Vegas took advantage of several teams in the lead up to the 2017 Expansion draft with similar deals. For example: Anaheim would send promising defenseman Shea Theodore to Vegas in exchange for the Golden Knights selecting Clayton Stoner (and his $3.5 salary) in the Expansion Draft. Similarly, Columbus would trade William Karlsson to Vegas if they agreed to take David Clarkson (and his $5.25 cap hit). Neither Stoner or Clarkson would ever play in the NHL again and Karlsson and Theodore remain franchise cornerstones for the Golden Knights.
The other 31 teams take this upcoming offseason to shed salary and save cap space for the 2021-2022 offseason and the Seattle Expansion Draft.
The league steps in to provide some sort of relief for teams given the circumstances. There could be something similar to the amnesty clause that was prevalent in the National Basketball Association from about 2010 to 2016, in which one player could be released and their contract will be paid in full but won’t count against the salary cap. If imposed by the NHL, it would effectively be a “get out of jail free card” for any team.
Graphic by John Barr
The most auspicious scenarios for NHL Seattle are No. 1 and No. 2. It ensures NHL Seattle will either land an established and productive veteran — even if his contract is loaded with AAV (average annual value) and term — or acquire draft capital and quality prospects.
It’s unclear whether NHL general managers will be wary of making protective deals after Vegas fleeced several teams in the process.
But franchises were already eager to cut salary in 2017, even with the upper limit of the salary cap rising from year-to-year.
Now that teams almost certainly won’t see the upper limit of the salary cap increase by 2021, teams may have no other choice but to swing deals with Seattle.
That is, of course, the real life scenario isn’t akin to No. 4 above, where the league provides relief for teams due to the unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances.
When the season is finished or canceled, the ensuing offseason will shine light on just how advantageous this may be for Seattle. The NHL could provide relief to teams to mitigate how cap-strapped teams may be coming into 2021, but regardless, NHL Seattle will enter the 2021 offseason with the biggest weapon of any team: a blank slate of cap space.
