Season Preview – 24. Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken enter the 2024-25 NHL season with a sense of renewal and determination. After a disappointing 2023-24 campaign that saw them miss the playoffs, the Kraken have made significant changes both on and off the ice. With a new coaching staff led by veteran coach Dan Bylsma and several key roster adjustments, Seattle is poised to turn the tide and set sail toward a more successful season, while still falling short of the playoff hunt.

Season Expectations

After the setbacks of last season, the expectations for the Kraken are tempered yet optimistic. The team has undergone a significant overhaul, with Bylsma bringing in a fresh approach to both strategy and team culture. The Kraken are looking to establish themselves as a competitive force in the Pacific Division, with the goal of fighting for a playoff spot. Though they should be more consistent and better than they were last year, they will still miss the playoffs.

The addition of new systems, combined with the development of young stars like Matty Beniers and Shane Wright, offers hope that this team can find consistency. Also, the addition of Brandon Montour is sure to bring speed and smooth transitions to the rush. The Kraken are expected to play a more structured game under Bylsma, emphasizing strong defensive play and disciplined special teams. Hopefully there is also stability in net, something that has lacked since the Kraken entered the league. While it’s easy to remain hopeful and optimistic in a young market like Seattle, this year will prove to be another small blip in the radar of success.

Projected Lines

With a new coach entering the fold its always difficult to base any line projections off the last few seasons. However, knowing there are some lines that already have chemistry can work in our favour. Also, with some players taking steps forward, while others take steps back, we can expect there to be adjustments throughout the season. Furthermore, with a much more balanced defensive core, there can be a multitude of pairings that can find effectiveness.

To clarify, these line projections are meant to only predict the start of the season. With so many potential combinations possible and a new head coach, its almost certain that there are tweaks and additions of new faces by the end of the year. Expect the season to start as such:

Jared McCann – Matty Beniers – Oliver Bjorkstrand
Andre Burakovsky – Chandler Stephenson – Jordan Eberle
Eeli Tolvanen – Yanni Gourde – Jaden Schwartz
Tye Kartye – Shane Wright – Brandon Tanev

Vince Dunn – Adam Larsson
Jamie Oleksiak – Brandon Montour
Ryker Evans – Will Borgen

Joey Daccord
Philipp Grubauer

Scratches: Ben Meyers, Mitchell Stephens, Josh Mahura

Line 1
This line would be considered a ‘new look’ line for the Kraken. The combination only played a few shifts together all season last year and did not look to have any chemistry. However, with a new coaching staff set to instill a new system entirely, theres a high likelihood that this line starts the season together. McCann has really come into his own under the Kraken logo and will look to renew his goal scoring prowess after taking a small step back last season. Beniers is coming into the season with a fresh seven-year contract and will want to showcase he is ready to take the first line center role by force. Bjorkstrand had a decent season last year, and with his and McCann’s speed on the wing’s of Beniers, this line can become a dynamic scoring threat for a team that has always lacked consistent offense.

Line 2
Many laid back fans thought the signing of Stephenson was a horrible contract during this past free agency period. Yet, it was a savvy move by the Kraken to help solidify their center depth and also add a boost of speed that is so effective in todays game. Burakovsky only played 49 games last season due to injury, and was not very effective when he was healthy. He will look to bounce back with a new line and prove he can be effective in a top-six role. Eberle is a stalwart leader for this team, and his commitment to two-way play and working the hard areas of the ice will compliment the speed of Stephenson and the finishing potential of Burakovsky.

Line 3
A small line in stature, averaging 5’9.5” and 183lbs, but can find effectiveness without the use of physicality. This line has no history playing together last season, yet once again we find ourselves with the reality of a new coaching staff and system being put into place. Tolvanen has been a bright spot for the Kraken and has shown flashes of brilliance and finishing that can catalyze a third line. Gourde has been a very consistent defensive presence on the forward lines, and his two-way game can be utilized to shut down tougher matchups. Schwartz has been injury plagued the last few seasons, but he hasn’t let it effective his game and will look to provide a solid two-way possession game with likeminded linemates.

Line 4
In a limited role last season, Wright has shown he can be an effective NHL player. With a new coaching staff’s trust to earn, expect Wright to come in at a sheltered role with the potential to move up and down the lineup and also see special team’s play. Kartye is a solid two-way forward that can provide possession battles and also provide the rush through the neutral zone. He is a steady bottom-six forward who may take a step this year into a top-nine role when injuries occur. Tanev is a veteran that always play hard. His tenacity and forecheck are infectious and help set the tone for all players on the ice, making himself a good role model for Wright.

Pair 1
This pairing was together for 59 games and a total of 950.5 minutes last season and proved to be okay. They produced a net -0.05 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes and 49.5% xGoals % which ranked them 14th in the league out of 16 pairings that played at least 900 minutes together. With a new more defensive structure coming with HC Bylsma, expect this numbers to increase and the pairing to find more consistency on the defensive side of the puck, while also allowing Dunn to have the freedom to start the rush or work the point in the favour.

Pair 2
One of the massive signings this offseason was the Kraken bringing in Montour on a seven-year $50.0 million contract after he helped the Florida Panthers to their first Stanley Cup. There is no question that adding Montour to the blue line will make a significant difference in how the team transitions up the ice, and also improves defensively. However, Montour is best paired with a stay-at-home type partner and Oleksiak provides just that. Look for this pairing to get first-line matchups depending on the team they are facing, and should be extremely effective as a long-term pairing.

Pair 3
This pair played a limited role together last year only 29 games and a very limited 32.5 minutes of ice time together. Nonetheless, they proved to be productive securing a net 1.30 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes and 64% xGoals %, which ranked them 52nd out of 682 pairings that played at least 30 minutes together. While it is a very small sample size, and numbers never tell the entire story, there is at least a foundation of chemistry both Brogen and Evans can grow into this season.

Goalies
Daccord came into his own form last year and proved he is not only an NHL goalie but a worthy partner in a effective tandem. Daccord played 50 games last year and posted a 2.46 GAA and 0.916 SV%, along with a 3.8 Goals Saved Above Expected, which placed him 11th in the league out of 20 goalies who played 50 games or more. Grubauer on the other hand struggled again in a Kraken uniform. His numbers are not worth mentioning and it is safe to say he will look to rebound and find himself again, playing in a 1B role behind a motivated Daccord.

Scratches
There is a lack of depth throughout the entire roster, yet the players that are the ‘first man up’ can still be effective in limited roles. Meyers and Stephens have both proven they can play limited bottom-six type positions but cannot be relied on to be key contributors for a long-term hole. Mahura can be a very good 6/7 defenseman for this team and should be able to fill in for injuries as they are bound to happen.

Keys To Success

The most critical factor for Seattle this season will be how quickly and effectively the team adapts to Bylsma’s coaching system. Known for his success with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Bylsma brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record. His ability to instill a winning mindset and tactical discipline will be essential as the Kraken aim to rebound from last year’s struggles. Moreover, goaltending was a significant issue for the Kraken last season, with inconsistent performances contributing to their downfall. For Seattle to have any chance at success this season, their netminders must be reliable. Philipp Grubauer and Joey Daccord will need to provide steady play, giving the team confidence from the back end. Furthermore, Matty Beniers showed flashes of brilliance last season, and his continued development into a top-line center is crucial. Similarly, Shane Wright, entering his second NHL season, needs to take a significant step forward. If these players can elevate their game, Seattle will have a strong foundation for a successful season.

Potential Downfall

Despite the optimism with the recent changes, there are still concerns that could derail the Kraken’s season. The team’s depth, particularly on offense, remains a question mark. If key players struggle to produce, the Kraken could find themselves in a similar situation as last year, struggling to keep pace in a competitive division. Another potential downfall could be the adjustment period under Bylsma. Implementing a new system can take time, and if the team doesn’t gel quickly, they could fall behind early in the season. Additionally, injuries to key players could expose the team’s lack of depth and hinder their ability to compete consistently.

Future Outlook

While the immediate focus is on improving this season, the Kraken have a bright future ahead. The organization has done well in drafting and developing young talent, and their prospect pool continues to grow. Players like Beniers and Wright are the cornerstone of the team’s long-term plans, and as they mature, the Kraken should become more competitive each year. Seattle also has the flexibility to make moves in the coming years, with a mix of veteran contracts and promising young players. If the team can continue to build through the draft and make savvy trades or free-agent signings, the Kraken are well-positioned to become a perennial playoff team in the near future.

Final Thoughts

The 2024-25 season represents a pivotal moment for the Seattle Kraken. With a new coaching staff, a fresh approach, and a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging stars, the Kraken are determined to rewrite their narrative. While challenges remain, the foundation is in place for Seattle to make strides this season and set the stage for a successful future. The road to the playoffs won’t be easy, but the Kraken are ready to chart a new course and prove they belong among the NHL’s best.