Seattle sports fans always show up – whether it’s at Lumen Field, T-Mobile Park, or Climate Pledge Arena – fans here know how to support their beloved teams. This support stretches all over the Pacific Northwest, but in the last five years, professional hockey has been working to find its way into the fabric of the passionate sports market, first with the Kraken five years ago, and now with the Seattle Torrent.
As one of the relatively new professional teams to the area, the Kraken were met with a crowded sports landscape, but this didn’t stop fans from embracing them wholeheartedly in the early years. But it has not just been the fans that have helped the Kraken transition so well into the sports scene here in Seattle. The Kraken have accepted Seattle’s multi-team identity with open arms, and the other teams in the area have been welcoming to them as well.
While the Kraken were beginning to launch their 2025-26 season campaign, the Seattle Mariners were competing for a ticket to the World Series, and the University of Washington’s beloved Huskies were gearing up for another season of college football. With the Seattle sports world heading into one of its busiest times, the Kraken were still able to carve out moments to show their support for their fellow Seattle teams. In doing so, they were able to deepen their own roots into the city’s sports culture and build up their own identity as a team.
These shows of support are important for building the identity of their young franchise. By involving themselves more in the Seattle sports world they show the fans that they want to be a part of the legacy that is Seattle. This not only earns them the fans’ loyalty and support but sends a message of unity between the team and the place they get to call home.
One visible gesture of Seattle camaraderie came on Sept. 14 when the Kraken attended a Mariners home game. At this game, where they also debuted their third jerseys in public for the first time, captain Jordan Eberle threw out the first pitch. Following this outing, the Kraken were then spotted attending a UW Football game where the Huskies gifted the Kraken a purple and gold hockey jersey. Both of these moments signaled something greater than just team bonding: that the Kraken aren’t the only ones proud to be a part of this city’s sports community, but that everyone from fans to other sports teams, are glad they are here.
Even while on the road the Kraken managed to show off their Seattle pride earlier this season. As the Mariners squared off against the Blue Jays, the Kraken were lined up to battle against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The boys from the deep showed up in Mariners jerseys as they walked down the tunnel for game day, and the gesture was clear: it’s Seattle over everyone, even for many of the Canadians on the team (though Shane Wright opted out of rooting against his beloved Blue Jays). The Kraken went on to beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in OT, thanks to Josh Mahura’s heroics, that game which only reinforced that spirit.
The support that the Kraken have been giving out has been returned to them. Whether its players from other local teams attending games to show support like Mariners stars Julio Rodriguez and Josh Naylor or neighbors taking to social media to cheer on the Kraken, it is clear that the team has achieved in building an atmosphere where community remains a big motivator. They have positioned themselves as not just newcomers but as connectors and unifiers of the city’s fanbase. This is important for a young franchise in a city that has never had a professional hockey team, and they are continuing to define their legacy every step of the way.
Now that the Torrent have arrived, the neighborly support has been even closer to the Kraken, who are sharing their arena and practice facility with the new PWHL team. Prior to the home opener for the Torrent, Kraken players wore their jerseys into Climate Pledge Arena, and several of the players also attended what ended up being a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Frost on Friday.
Seattle has shown strong support for women’s sports, and one can assume that this latest addition will be continue to be welcomed in the same way. But small, symbolic gestures like this from the Kraken go a long way in helping to welcome the newest team into the market.
There are challenges that lie ahead for every team, but one thing feels certain: the Kraken and their intentional approach to the community here in Seattle has created waves of support across the sports market.
Welcome to the December edition of Strive for 95. The Seattle Kraken did what was needed in November and remain on pace for 95 points. The Kraken sit in the second wild card spot and have played only 24 games, tied for the fewest in the NHL with two other teams.
Seattle is on a short break and will not play again until Thursday. At that point, they will have played the fewest games of any NHL team. Having games in hand is a good thing, especially when you are already in a playoff position. All stats and standings are based on the month of November and current as of Nov. 30 unless otherwise stated.
I feel like I say it every month, but this was another roller coaster of a stretch.
November recap
The month started well with three points in the first two games. Then San Jose handed Seattle its worst loss of the season, a 6-1 defeat. Joey Daccord was pulled in that game and was placed on injured reserve days later, though the injury was believed to have happened during practice. With Philipp Grubauer and Matt Murray set to split the net, Kraken fans held their breath expecting a slide. That never came. Grubauer and Murray combined for six starts and earned nine points. Watching the Kraken stay competitive regardless of who is in net was a huge confidence boost. Grubauer finished the month with a .917 save percentage, while Murray posted a .939.
Murray was injured in the second matchup against San Jose, though, just as Daccord returned from IR. Spirits were still high, and Seattle earned five points on a four-game road swing. That is where the Kraken’s lack of scoring caught up with them as they dropped the final two games of the month in regulation to Dallas and Edmonton.
Over the last six games, Seattle scored only nine goals and was shut out twice. One shutout came against the New York Islanders on the second leg of a back-to-back. Miraculously, Daccord also recorded a shutout, sending the game to a shootout. Seattle fell 1-0, but it snapped a streak of 15 straight regulation losses in the second leg of back-to-back games. Their previous point in a second game of a back-to-back came on Mar. 21, 2024, in an overtime loss to Arizona.
Seattle posted a 6-5-3 record for 15 points in 14 games, two points under their November target. They were two points over target in October, so the overall pace remains on track for 95.
Updated tiers
As of Nov. 30, every NHL team is within striking distance of a playoff spot. Nashville sits last in the league but is only seven points out. The East is even tighter, with all teams within five points of a spot. Both the Playoff Bound and Tanker tiers were reduced to five and four teams, reflecting how tightly packed the standings have become.
Bolded teams are teams the Kraken play this month. ‘x2’ indicates the Kraken face that team twice. Up and down arrows show teams that moved between tiers.
Notes on tier movement
Atlantic Division: Tampa Bay jumped to the Playoff Bound tier after an 11-3 month and is currently on a seven-game win streak. Boston moved up after a 9-5 month that lifted them to second in the division, though they have played 27 games, and others hold games in hand. Florida and Toronto dropped from the Playoff Bound tier, with both teams four points out of a playoff spot and hovering around .500.
Metropolitan Division: Washington was the only change. The Capitals went 9-4-2 and won seven of their last eight. The push only moved them to third in the division, which is solid but not enough to justify a Playoff Bound spot with three teams right behind them and Philadelphia and Pittsburgh each holding two games in hand. Another strong month could move them back up, but for now the standings are too tight.
Central Division: Shame, shame, shame. I got it wrong last month, so this division needed a reset. Dallas, second overall in the NHL, moved back to the Playoff Bound tier. Utah fell back to earth with a 4-8-3 month and now sits one spot out of a playoff position. Minnesota rebelled against their Tankers label by going 11-1-2 and rose to the very top of the Bubble tier. Winnipeg fell to the Bubble tier with eight losses in November and arthroscopic knee surgery for Connor Hellebuyck that will sideline him four to six weeks. St. Louis moved up to the Bubble tier after earning points in 11 of 15 games. They are 0-7 in overtime and shootout games, which should even out at some point. Their negative 23 goal differential is second worst in the league, but 10 of their last 11 games in November have been one-goal contests.
Pacific Division: Anaheim leads the division with 31 points. Los Angeles has the same point total but trails in regulation wins. That is the lowest point total to lead any division, so both remain in the Bubble tier. Vegas went 5-4-5 and dropped to third, removing them from the Playoff Bound tier. With no clear front-runner, the Playoff Bound tier remains empty. San Jose continued to surprise with a 9-5-1 month and moved up to the Bubble tier.
Overtime games
A key reason for the tight standings is the surge in overtime games. Through Nov. 30, 27.9 percent of games have required overtime.
Over the last eight full seasons, the average was 22.1 percent. This season’s rate is a 5.8 percent increase. Sound Of Hockey’s John Barr found this is the highest percentage since overtime was reintroduced 42 years ago.
Through 360 games, this is the fewest # of games that have ended in regulation since the NHL (re)introduced overtime games in 1983-84. pic.twitter.com/0IjP3fLGMB
December offers Seattle its most favorable travel schedule. The Kraken will travel 5,302 miles, all within the Western Conference. Their longest trip is a four-game swing, with three of those games in California, which minimizes travel. With 13 games scheduled, the average travel per game is 408 miles, the lowest of any month. April has the fewest travel miles, but that is mainly because the Kraken play only nine games that month.
The Kraken have two sets of back-to-back games to close the month as they try to snap their 17-game losing streak in the second leg. Both back ends come against Pacific Division opponents, giving Seattle a chance to gain ground while preventing others from doing the same. In total, the Kraken play 10 Western Conference teams in December, making this a pivotal month.
Playoff Bound tier
Colorado visits Seattle for the first of three meetings. The Avalanche have been dominant with just one regulation loss all season. The target for this game is one point.
Bubble tier
With the standings extremely tight, 23 teams fall into this tier and only eight points separate them. Minnesota leads this group with 33 points. St. Louis, Florida, and Toronto sit at 25. Seattle has nine games against Bubble teams. They face eight Bubble tier opponents this month: Detroit, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Utah, Anaheim, Edmonton, San Jose, and two against Los Angeles. The target for these games is 11 points.
Tanker tier
Seattle has three games against Tanker tier teams: Buffalo and Vancouver at home, and Calgary on the road. The target is four points.
Target win percentages
With the increase in Bubble-tier teams, the target point percentages were adjusted to keep Seattle on pace for 95 points. The overall target for the month of December is 16 points.
Wrapping up
Seattle’s next game is Thursday, Dec. 4, in a rematch with Edmonton. With five teams within two points of the Kraken, they could find themselves outside the playoff picture by puck drop. They will still hold two to four games in hand over every Western Conference team, giving them a chance to climb back quickly while flying under the radar a bit.
Seattle ended the month with a shutout loss to Edmonton, but November was a solid month overall. With four days off before their next game, you can imagine the team will focus on two areas: improving special teams, which went 0-for-6 on the power play and 0-for-2 on the penalty kill, and generating more scoring chances.
The Kraken have proved they can shut teams down, allowing just 2.63 goals per game, which ranks fifth in the NHL. If they can pair that steady defensive play with a bit more scoring, they will stay on pace for 95 points. Comment below on where you think the offensive spark will come from.
Blaiz Grubic
Blaiz Grubic is a contributor at Sound Of Hockey. A passionate hockey fan and player for over 30 years, Blaiz grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is an alumni of Washington State University (Go Cougs!). When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about hockey, he enjoys quality time with his wife and daughter or getting out on a golf course for a quick round. Follow @blaizg on BlueSky or X.
We were due for a week like this. I mentioned last week that I was concerned about the week ahead, and it played out exactly how I feared, as the Kraken dropped both games in regulation to the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers. Both are formidable opponents, so I knew there was a decent chance the Kraken could lose them both. That said, I’m not nearly as disappointed as I’ve been in other weeks when the Kraken actually came away with points.
Let’s start with the Stars game. Dallas has owned the Kraken in the regular season. Seattle was 2-9-2 against the Stars heading into Wednesday, with the lowest points percentage they have against any Western Conference opponent. And honestly, I just don’t remember the Kraken competing well against them, aside from the 2022-23 playoff series. Despite the loss, maybe that’s why I was so surprised to see the Kraken play as well as they did. There were long stretches where Seattle genuinely looked like the better team. Deep into the third, it felt like the game was destined for overtime, but Vladislav Kolyachonok floated an innocent-looking wrist shot from the point that went past a screening Adam Larsson, hit the post and found its way in.
Kolyachonok scores to make it 3-2 with five minutes left.
Haters are going to point out it was the second half of a back-to-back for Dallas and that they had their backup in net. All true. But with that much firepower and the lopsided history between these two teams, the game left me feeling pretty good about where the Kraken stand. It was still a disappointing result, but it reinforced that the Kraken can hang with anyone. And considering they’ve beaten Anaheim, Vegas, and Winnipeg twice already, we shouldn’t be shocked that they have that level of compete in them.
That set up a perfect trap game on Saturday against Edmonton. The Oilers were coming off an embarrassing 8–3 loss to Dallas, and when you poke the bear enough, eventually it bites back. Edmonton’s top four forwards each scored, and the Kraken were shut out. I don’t think the game was as one-sided as the score suggests, but you’re not winning many games when you get shut out. Seattle certainly had chances to get back into it, but they went 0-for-6 on the power play, including an extended 5-on-3 while down just 1–0. At the end of the day, though, it’s still a loss.
Power play challenges
Over the last 10 games, the Kraken have run at a meager 14 percent on the power play and haven’t scored a power-play goal in their last four games despite 14 opportunities, including five against Dallas and six against Edmonton. There’s no question the power play is struggling, but there were moments Saturday when they actually had stable possession and seemed to be generating shot attempts. So I spent part of my Sunday digging into the numbers.
First, I wanted to see whether they really did generate a lot of shot attempts on Saturday. The Kraken had 22 power-play shot attempts, their second-highest total in a game this season. It was also their second-highest total power-play time, so to evaluate it better, I calculated shot attempts per two minutes of power-play time. That came out to 4.29 attempts. It’s not their highest rate of the season, but it’s close.
Next, I widened the scope to see how their shot-attempt rate stacks up league-wide.
Based on the visual above, they’re sitting pretty close to league average in shot attempts per two minutes. That suggests quantity is fine, but the quality might not be there. I’ve already gone long here, so I’ll save that for another day.
Inaugural Torrent game
Hopefully you were lucky enough to make it to the inaugural Seattle Torrent game Friday afternoon. The Torrent lost 3–0 to the two-time defending Walter Cup champion Minnesota Frost in front of a PWHL record 16,014 fans. The atmosphere was incredible, the arena was filled with seasoned hockey fans, new fans, kids, families, the whole thing. The Torrent came out buzzing, but the Frost got a favorable bounce late in the first and never looked back.
I have a lot of thoughts, but this feels like another huge step for hockey in the region. The kid-friendly start times and reasonable ticket prices should give more families a chance to check out a game. And I’m excited to see how having the PWHL in town boosts female participation in the sport.
There was also quite a bit of constructive fan feedback about the arena experience. I’ve got my own wish-list items too, but I also know they don’t have the budget or institutional experience the Kraken have. Let’s be patient, give feedback when asked, and see how things evolve. For a team announced five months ago, I’m honestly blown away by how much they’ve pulled off.
Other musings
In case you missed it, Jaden Schwartz is the latest Kraken player to land on IR, another significant blow. Schwartz, expected to miss six weeks, has been one of the most underrated players in franchise history, and this team will feel his absence. Before the injury, Schwartz was on the ice for about 40 percent of Seattle’s power-play time.
One silver lining: Jared McCann returned Wednesday against Dallas after missing 18 games. He brings an element this team has been missing. (Check out this pregame feature on Jared that aired before Saturday’s game.)
I’m always stunned that there’s not even a hint of suspension for a malicious elbow aimed at someone’s head, even if it doesn’t land. If the league wants to minimize concussions, make those actions consequential—not just the ones that result in injuries. I’ve held this stance forever, no matter which team is involved.
Leon Draisaitl throws an elbow at Marchment and takes EDM's fifth penalty of the game.
Marchment may have been clever by not accepting a fight. He's under the skin of the Oilers, who are more worried about revenge on him.
Big congrats to former Seattle Thunderbirds Thomas Milic and Reid Schaefer, who made their NHL debuts for the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators, respectively.
Goal of the week
Nice sequence from Coachella Valley: David Goyette finds Lleyton Roed for his first of the season.
ROED KICKS US OFF WITH THE FIRST GOAL OF THE GAME AND HIS FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON!!
Julius Miettinen (EVT/SEA) – Five points in three games for Everett. He’s fifth in the WHL in points per game and a huge reason Everett is the best team in the league this season.
Zeb Forsfjäll (Skellefteå AIK/SEA) – The Kraken’s 2023 sixth-round pick scored his first two goals of the SHL season.
Zeb Forsfjäll skjuter sin första fullträff för säsongen och dubblerar Skellefteås ledning 🚨 pic.twitter.com/7D8975PJ9a
Nikke Kokko (CV/SEA) – Posted his first AHL shutout on Friday, stopping all 31 shots against San Diego.
Week ahead
It’s a light but tricky week. The Kraken head to Edmonton on Thursday, and if the Oilers win in regulation, they’ll leapfrog Seattle (although Edmonton could also move ahead with a win against the Wild on Tuesday). Seattle is just 1-5-1 at Rogers Place, and after Saturday’s win, Edmonton might be ready to go on a run… or the Swiss-cheese defense could return, and the Kraken could show the resilience they’ve shown all season.
The only other game this week is Saturday at home against Detroit. The Wings are on a bit of a skid at 0-3-1, and the Kraken already lost 4–2 to them in November. Detroit has solid special teams; Seattle… does not.
The target for the week should be two points. Anything above that is gravy. The Kraken are playing their worst offensive hockey of the season right now, and until they fix their issues, expectations should stay pretty low.
And finally…
The Kraken are still in a playoff spot and still competitive in games where they don’t have much firepower. They’re in a lull, so no one should be panicking… yet.
Am I the only one trying to keep a level head here?
After losing 4-3 in overtime in their first game ever at the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Nov. 21, the Seattle Torrent took the ice at Climate Pledge Arena for the first time on Black Friday in a midday game against the two-time PWHL champions, the Minnesota Frost. Both teams were seeking their first win of the season, having each recorded a one-goal loss on opening day.
Despite the workday (for most people) puck drop, over 16,000 fans were in attendance, shattering the previous American record for professional women’s hockey by more than a thousand. Even with a disappointing 3-0 loss, the fans showed up throughout the game, cheering to the bitter end for their new franchise and even sticking around to applaud a stick salute from the Torrent players.
Though the scoreline didn’t reflect it, the game was exciting and engaging, featuring two well-matched opponents. All the fans I spoke with, even those who had never attended a hockey game before, had a great time. They thought the team looked good, played fun, fast, and physical, and shared that they would definitely be back.
Corinne Schroeder makes a save against the Frost. (Photo/The PWHL)
Torrent vs. Frost game recap
Period 1
The Torrent started the game looking much sharper than in their 4-3 season-opening loss last week in Vancouver. Passes were connecting, and by my eye test, the Torrent enjoyed a majority of possession. Torrent goalie Corrine Schroeder made some good saves, although an unlucky deflection from a Kelly Pannek shot late in the period put the Frost up 1-0.
Period 2
Momentum shifted slightly in the second period, with the Frost increasing their time in the offensive zone. The game got a bit chippier in the second, and the Torrent had to go on the penalty kill twice, but their PK kept the Frost off the board, blocking numerous shots while Schroeder handled the rest.
Period 3
The Torrent had their chance on the power play early in the third period. Both power-play units appeared confident and in control but couldn’t get anything past Frost netminder Nicole Hensley, who was outstanding in the game.
A turnover in the neutral zone led to a second goal from Pannek. Minutes later, Grace Zumwinkle found a loose puck during another Minnesota power play to round out the Frost’s scoring. The end of the game was even more physical, with Seattle’s Megan Carter tussling with Minnesota’s Britta Curl. The two have a history; Curl was suspended for a game last season after elbowing Carter in the head. The Torrent never gave up and had some great looks late but couldn’t solve Hensley, who robbed Hilary Knight in the closing minutes. Late in the final frame, Danielle Serdachny blocked two shots to prevent the Frost from scoring on an empty net, earning herself the third star of the game.
Hilary Knight takes a shot against the Frost. (Photo/The PWHL)
Post-game thoughts
After the game, Frost forward and first star of the night Kelly Pannek, who played in a rivalry series game at CPA, spoke about playing in Seattle again and being in front of a record-setting crowd. “We knew once this market was announced they were going to have great fan support… It’s exciting to play in buildings like that; the fans are engaged, they’re loud.”
Torrent coach Steve O’Rourke spoke highly of his players’ efforts and noted their improvement since their first game. He emphasized that they played well for the first two periods and fed off the energy in the building. His team generated a “good quantity of chances, but probably not enough quality.” O’Rourke expressed disappointment with the result but felt that the team’s identity was strengthened and that they have a clear direction as they move forward this season.
Knight, who arrived at the game in a bedazzled Sue Bird jersey, understood the gravity of the moment, calling it a dream come true and a “pinch-me moment” (though, if I can be honest, I think she was most excited that Brandi Carlile was there). Knight was impressed by the team’s start, getting lots of shots on goal, and playing tough and physical. She praised the crowd’s dedication to the new team, cheering until the very end, even when the game was all but lost. “You can really ride that; it’s a huge advantage to be able to play at home when you’ve got a crowd that’s as electric as our fans.”
Seattle’s own Marah Wagner also spoke. She played in Sweden last year and made the team after a camp invite. General manager Meghan Turner spoke about her pre-game: “She’s an easy one to talk about… she came to camp prepared. Her skill set was there, but her compete was really incredible. She fit right in, didn’t look nervous, dove in, and worked hard. She embodies the identity of a competitive, hardworking group.”
Wagner was awestruck by the night. She never thought anything like this would become a reality in Seattle. Many little girls were in attendance with ‘Coach Marah’ signs, having attended her local hockey camp. Wagner is also hopeful about the Torrent’s progress. “We have been taking tremendous steps every day; we are showing up to practice and battling to the end, and we are pushing each other every day.”
Notes and notions
Injury update: defender Aneta Tejralová is still out day-to-day with a lower-body injury, while forward Jenna Buglioni is also day-to-day.
Rookie defender Lyndie Lobdell spoke to the press on Sunday after practice. Friday was her first-ever PWHL game. She credited her off-season training for her success so far this season and acknowledged her blue line teammates for helping her adjust to the team, city, and the increased speed and physicality of PWHL gameplay.
She, too, mostly had positive things to share from the game, expressing her shock and awe at looking up in CPA and seeing it filled with fans. The one thing she wanted fans to know is that she’s really nice and loves to meet people: “So if you see me, come say hi!”
The team had a more low-key practice and focused heavily on shooting and tips, obviously hoping to avoid being shut out again in Wednesday’s home game against the 2-1 New York Sirens.
“Down on the Farm” is your weekly Seattle Kraken prospects update. We’re coming to you a bit late this week due to the holidays on Thursday (U.S. Thanksgiving) and Friday (first home game for the Seattle Torrent). But we’ll still get you all the news, video, and data from every corner of the Kraken organization that you’ve come to expect. In our lead segment, we’ll offer some reckless predictions about which Kraken prospects will—or will not—make their national teams for the upcoming 2026 World Junior Championship.
If you have a Kraken prospect–related question you’d like to see featured in a future column, drop us a note below or on X or BlueSky @deepseahockey or @sound_hockey. Let’s dive in.
World Junior Championship projections for Kraken prospects
Berkly Catton | F | Team Canada
Berkly Catton will be Team Canada’s first-line center and quite possibly its captain if he is loaned to the team. Seattle’s plan for Catton is the only question. The NHL team seems to be “one in, one out” with its top-nine forwards right now. Most recently, Kaapo Kakko appeared primed to return, and then Jaden Schwartz was injured. This has created a spot for Catton to continue to contribute on the roster.
Even so, I suspect the Kraken will loan Catton to Team Canada—unless the team is further stricken by injuries in the coming days. Though every point is important for Seattle right now, Catton has not moved the needle for the NHL club to the extent that he is indispensable. The team may view a WJC stint as beneficial for the player (and, therefore, the team) long term.
Jake O’Brien | F | Team Canada
Ironically, if Catton isn’t made available to Team Canada, the primary “beneficiary” could be Jake O’Brien, who could slide into a top-nine playmaking role vacated by Catton. O’Brien has created a reel of highlights in the first half of his OHL season, primarily through his elite vision and passing. He leads the junior league with 41 points in 22 games.
I’m inclined to believe O’Brien will make the roster regardless, but his playing time will depend on whether Team Canada is without some of its projected front-line contributors like Catton (either because they were not loaned to the team or due to injury). At full attendance, O’Brien still projects as a marginal piece for this year’s team.
Ollie Josephson | F | Team Canada
We characterized Ollie Josephson as a long shot to make this year’s WJC team when he unexpectedly joined Team Canada for the World Junior Summer Showcase. We feel the same way now. I suspect Josephson is on the outside looking in given the talent available to this year’s Canada squad. If the team wants a fourth-line forechecker, it could do much worse than Josephson, but I expect Canada will prioritize skill in this year’s group.
Jakub Fibigr | D | Team Czechia
Jakub Fibigr has been a stalwart for Czechia in international events over the last few years. Elite Prospects has Fibigr logging 23 games with the Czech international team over the last two seasons—in addition to a full slate in the OHL. He has shown the ability to move the puck and play in all situations in these international showings.
This year, however, Czechia will be leaning on Fibigr. After his emergence as a No. 1 defenseman in the OHL this season, I suspect Team Czechia will deploy him heavily, particularly on the power play. He may play as much as any Kraken skater at this year’s WJC.
Julius Miettinen | F | Team Finland
At last year’s WJC, we saw the best version of Julius Miettinen we had seen to that point. He was fast and physical. Playing in Finland’s top six, he often took difficult matchups—particularly in two meetings with Team USA—and more than held his own. Beyond that, Miettinen was a top option on the penalty kill and a net-front presence on the power play. Unfortunately, an injury derailed much of the remainder of his junior season.
This year, Miettinen has turned up the scoring production in the WHL, and he looks primed for a featured role at the WJC. He projects to land on Finland’s top line and play even heavier minutes than last year.
Kim Saarinen | G | Team Finland
Kim Saarinen has been a regular starter in Liiga, Finland’s top professional league, for the last year and a half. Last season he outpaced even the prodigious production of fellow Kraken prospect Nikke Kokko in their respective post-draft seasons. And Saarinen was on Team Finland’s roster at last year’s WJC (though did not play). All of this led me to project that Saarinen would be on Team Finland’s roster, but likely as the backup behind fellow 19-year-old standout Petteri Rimpinen.
That dynamic has not changed much this fall. Rimpinen has arguably outplayed Saarinen at the international precursor events and seems to be ahead of Saarinen in the eyes of Team Finland management. Saarinen will be with Team Finland but may not play more than one pool play game unless Rimpinen falters.
Blake Fiddler | D | Team USA
Fiddler has been a stalwart for Team USA at U18 and U20 precursor tournaments to the World Junior Championship. There is little doubt in my mind that Fiddler is on track to play an important role for Team USA at the 2027 event, when he will be 19 years old. The question is: Does he have a place on Team USA’s blue line this year at 18 years old (a.k.a. an “underager”)?
Over the summer I had Fiddler on the outside looking in. I’m slightly more optimistic about his chances now because his offensive production has ticked up in the WHL. (Fiddler had 33 points in 64 WHL games last season, a .52 point-per-game pace. He’s at 18 points through just 23 games so far this year, a .78 point-per-game pace.) Team USA projects as a sound team, but one that may struggle to score compared with recent years after an exodus of high-end skill. Fiddler’s offensive traits may be too intriguing to leave at home.
Right now, I’d project Fiddler as the No. 7 defenseman for Team USA at the 2026 WJC.
Notes on three more Kraken prospects
Eduard Sale | F | Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL)
Eduard Sale’s season did not get off to a promising start. He was held off the scoresheet in the Firebirds’ Oct. 10 opener against the San Diego Gulls, and then he proceeded to miss the next month and a half with an injury.
The narrative has shifted a bit since his Nov. 21 return, however. In three games, he has four points (one goal and three assists), and the Firebirds are plus-one with him on the ice at even strength during those contests. By our data score metric—which is built on scoring rates, not totals—Sale’s point-per-game stat line in the AHL at age 20 is the most impressive scoring season in the system right now. Of course, the small-sample-size caveat applies, but this serves as a reminder: Sale is still young and skilled. He shouldn’t be overlooked.
Zaccharya Wisdom | F | Western Michigan Univ. (NCAA)
Zaccharya Wisdom, a 2023 seventh-round pick of the Seattle Kraken, is an unheralded player in the system, but he has pushed his production up a notch in his junior year at Western Michigan University. Wisdom scored three goals and added an assist—and the Broncos were plus-four with him on the ice at even strength—in last weekend’s sweep of the University of Nebraska-Omaha. This earned Wisdom NCHC “Forward of the Week,” and it also makes him your Sound Of Hockey Player of the Week.
Ville Ottavainen | D | Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL)
Ottavainen returned to the ice on Friday, Nov. 28, for the Firebirds, his first game action since Nov. 8. He had been sidelined with a lower-body injury. His return coincided with immediate defensive results, as the Firebirds shut out the San Diego Gulls en route to a 5-0 win.
Kraken prospects data update
Miettinen accumulated the most points per game over the last week, and he tied for the most points overall with Fibigr. Both continue to show they are elite junior players in their age-19 seasons.
Logan Morrison has been a leader for the Firebirds in all respects this season. The 23-year-old undrafted center is second on the team in points (behind only Jagger Firkus) and looks like an emotional leader on the ice.
Saarinen got his season back on track over the last week with two strong starts, including a shutout. He got his save percentage back near .900 for the season and was a strong contender for Player of the Week.
Kokko finished the last week with a save percentage over .900, which is reflective of an incremental step forward in the overall defensive play of the Firebirds. (He also earned a shutout on Friday, Nov. 28, in a game that isn’t included in these statistics, which were gathered Friday morning.)
The Deep Sea Hockey Game of the Week is a matchup between Nathan Villeneuve’s Sudbury Wolves and Jakub Fibigr’s Brampton Steelheads on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 1:00 pm PT.
Tracking 2026 NHL Draft prospects: Adam Novotny
The Czech-born Novotny had an impressive draft-minus-one season. The 6-foot-1 forward played 41 games in the top Czech professional league and was a regular contributor for the Czech U20 team at the World Junior Championship as a 17-year-old. Like many young players who reach the top of the European professional ranks early, he opted to move to North America in his draft year to get acquainted with the play style and assume a featured offensive role. This season he’s averaging more than a point per game for the Peterborough Petes in the OHL. If he keeps up that pace, he’ll likely hear his name called in the top 20 picks of the 2026 NHL Draft.
Curtis is a Sound Of Hockey contributor and member of the Kraken press corps. Curtis is an attorney by day, and he has read the NHL collective bargaining agreement and bylaws so you don’t have to. He can be found analyzing the Kraken, NHL Draft, and other hockey topics on Twitter and Bluesky @deepseahockey.
Now that Thanksgiving has passed, we can finally, confidently, and with absolutely no doubt declare who will make the playoffs. Just kidding, but historically about 75 percent of teams in playoff position at Thanksgiving go on to the postseason, so the odds are in those teams’ favor.
Last month we reviewed teams in playoff position on Halloween to see if an earlier date could serve as an indicator of playoff contention.
Here is a breakdown of how each standings position fares in reaching the postseason at Thanksgiving.
As expected, teams in first and second place in their division fare better, but with more than 60 percent success from wild card teams and third-place teams, these spots still reach the playoffs more often than not.
Here is how the playoff picture looks at the Thanksgiving checkpoint.
Kraken update on playoff position
The Kraken improved their standing from the last wild card spot at Halloween to third in the Pacific Division on Thanksgiving.
It may have been easy to write off their strong start in October, but Seattle has continued to accrue points by playing tight, defensive games. Because of this, they are tied for eighth in the NHL with 28 points. Their new defensive identity has made them a tough team to score against, allowing 2.57 goals per game, second only to the Colorado Avalanche at 2.09.
Over the last eight full NHL seasons, teams sitting in third place in their division at this juncture have made the playoffs 62.5 percent of the time.
On Thanksgiving Eve, the Kraken were holding second place but fell to the Dallas Stars. Vegas gained a point in a shootout loss to Ottawa, and both Seattle and Vegas now sit at 28 points. Vegas holds the tiebreaker with nine regulation wins compared with Seattle’s seven. Historically, second place in the division fares best, making the playoffs 90.6 percent of the time.
Standings differences since Halloween
There were five teams in playoff position at Halloween that now sit outside the picture: the Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Winnipeg Jets. That means 68.8 percent (11 of 16) of teams in position on Halloween remain in position at Thanksgiving. This roughly matches the Halloween historical success rate of 66.4 percent, which surprised me.
Crowded standings
With about 75 percent of the season remaining, no playoff spot is secure. While Thanksgiving can serve as an indicator, it is important to examine other factors. As John Barr pointed out in his 10 for 10 series, the standings are crowded this year.
In the Eastern Conference, the standings are extremely tight, with every team within five points of a playoff spot. Four teams are tied for the final wild card spot, so the playoff picture can shift any night.
In the Western Conference, the standings are starting to separate, but five teams remain within five points of a playoff spot. The Avalanche, with a league-leading 39 points, are pulling away. They have one regulation loss this season and are riding a 10-game win streak.
In the Pacific Division, the top four teams are bunched up. The Anaheim Ducks (yes, the Ducks) lead with 29 points. Vegas, Seattle, and Los Angeles are even at 28, with tiebreakers needed to sort them. Vegas holds the edge in regulation wins, while Seattle holds a slight advantage over LA in regulation and overtime wins.
Overtime games
This season, fans have noticed the Kraken going to overtime more often, and they are right. Seattle has appeared in 10 overtime games through 23 contests (43.5 percent). Before this season, they went to overtime in 21 percent of regular-season games. This big jump is most likely tied to their defensive style, which has resulted in low-scoring games.
Through 360 games, this is the fewest # of games that have ended in regulation since the NHL (re)introduced overtime games in 1983-84. pic.twitter.com/0IjP3fLGMB
Although the Kraken are tied for first in OT appearances with 10, the entire league is seeing more overtime games. The NHL is at 28 percent of games needing extra time, a six percent increase over the last eight full seasons. The Pacific Division leads the charge with 34.2 percent. Eight NHL teams have nine or more OT games, and five of them are in the Pacific Division.
The high number of OT appearances has both helped and hurt Seattle. The drawback appears in regulation wins, where they have seven, tied with LA for the lowest among playoff-position teams. This could matter later, as regulation wins are the top tiebreaker.
On the positive side, Seattle has banked 14 points in their 10 OT games. They are 4-3 in 3-on-3 overtime but winless in shootouts, dropping all three. It is easy to get frustrated by shootouts, but they have no bearing in the playoffs aside from the extra standings point. Even with no shootout wins, Seattle sits just one win below .500 in OT and SO games.
The bigger indicator of playoff success is regulation wins. For example, in Seattle’s only playoff appearance, they entered as the first wild card and faced the heavily favored Avalanche. Even though Colorado won the Central Division, Seattle had more regulation wins (37 to 36). It was a closer matchup than many realized, and the Kraken knocked out the defending Stanley Cup champions in seven games.
The takeaway: do not get hung up on OT or SO results. Take the point and move on. Seattle’s results in extra-time games should even out as the season progresses, and the steady stream of loser points should keep them in the race just as it has through the first quarter of the season.
Wrapping up
The Kraken still have work to do, but they are in a better position than many preseason rankings predicted. They have continued to find success despite injuries and inconsistent scoring. Seattle is a hard team to play against, and its experience in close games should help if (or when) the Kraken return to the playoffs. That is especially true in playoff overtime, where play stays at 5-on-5.
Next up is a home-and-home against the Oilers, starting Saturday at Climate Pledge Arena. Edmonton will have a chip on its shoulder after a rough 8-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. This is the second of four matchups this season. Seattle won the first one and held Connor McDavid without a point or shot on net.
What do you think of the Thanksgiving cutoff as an indicator? Leave your comments below.
Blaiz Grubic
Blaiz Grubic is a contributor at Sound Of Hockey. A passionate hockey fan and player for over 30 years, Blaiz grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is an alumni of Washington State University (Go Cougs!). When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about hockey, he enjoys quality time with his wife and daughter or getting out on a golf course for a quick round. Follow @blaizg on BlueSky or X.
