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Seattle Kraken

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Seattle Kraken
2024–25 Seattle Kraken season
ConferenceWestern
DivisionPacific
Founded2021
HistorySeattle Kraken
2021–present
Home arenaClimate Pledge Arena
CitySeattle, Washington
Team colorsDeep sea blue, ice blue, boundless blue, shadow blue, red alert[1][2][3]
         
MediaKONG
KING-TV
Amazon Prime
KJR FM 93.3
KJR AM 950
Owner(s)Seattle Hockey Partners
General managerRon Francis
Head coachDan Bylsma
CaptainJordan Eberle
Minor league affiliatesCoachella Valley Firebirds (AHL)
Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL)
Stanley Cups0
Conference championships0
Presidents' Trophy0
Division championships0
Official websitenhl.com/kraken

The Seattle Kraken are a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle. The Kraken compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The team was founded after the NHL approved a proposal by Seattle Hockey Partners to grant an expansion franchise to the city of Seattle, and the team began play during the league's 2021–22 season. They play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena.

The Kraken qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 2023. The team faced off against the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. They upset the Avalanche in seven games, becoming the first team to win their inaugural playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup champion. However, they lost to the Dallas Stars in the second round, ending their sophomore season.

History

[edit]

Establishment (2017–2021)

[edit]
Further information: Ice hockey in Seattle § Seattle Kraken (2018–present)

On December 4, 2017, the Seattle City Council voted 7–1 in favor of a memorandum of understanding between the city of Seattle and the Oak View Group, a sports company co-founded by Tim Leiweke,[4] for renovations of KeyArena. Three days later, the National Hockey League (NHL) Board of Governors agreed to consider an expansion application from Seattle, with an expansion fee set at US$650 million.[5] The Seattle ownership group was represented by David Bonderman and Jerry Bruckheimer.[6]

Seattle's initial wordmark used prior to the name and logo unveiling

Exactly a year after the memorandum of understanding, the NHL Board of Governors voted unanimously to approve a Seattle expansion team being added to the league.[7] In mid-2019, the organization hired Ron Francis as their general manager to initiate operations for the team.[8] Francis later stated that three things he wanted to prioritize in the Kraken's roster were speed, character, and competitiveness.[9] In July 2020, the franchise announced their team name—the Seattle Kraken—as well as their team colors, branding, and home jersey.[10]

Nine months later, on April 30, 2021, the franchise paid the final installment of the US$650 million expansion fee, officially making the Seattle Kraken the 32nd team of the NHL.[11] The Kraken made their first player signing, Luke Henman, on May 12.[12] More than a month later, the organization hired Dave Hakstol to be their inaugural head coach.[13] On July 19, a three-day period began where the Kraken could talk to unrestricted free agents before any other team could.[14] The Kraken used this period to sign Adam Larsson, Jamie Oleksiak, and Chris Driedger.[15][14][16] An expansion draft was held three days later at Gas Works Park in front of more than 4,000 spectators and fans.[17] The draft was held in a similar manner to a previous expansion draft held in 2017 for the Vegas Golden Knights, who were themselves exempt from the 2021 expansion draft.[18] Larsson, Oleksiak, and Driedger counted as the pick from their respective teams (Edmonton, Dallas, and Florida, respectively).[19] Two days later, the first round of the 2021 NHL entry draft took place. The Kraken used their second-overall pick to select Matty Beniers, a center from the University of Michigan. The previous season, Beniers scored 24 points (goals plus assists) throughout 24 games, and his 10 goals ranked first among goals for first-time draft-eligible NCAA players.[20][21]

First seasons (2021–present)

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On July 28, 2021, at 9 PM Pacific Time, free agency for all 32 teams for the 2021–22 season began.[22] That same day, the Kraken signed forwards Alexander Wennberg[23] and Jaden Schwartz,[24] and goaltender Philipp Grubauer.[25][26][27] On October 11, the Kraken named Mark Giordano as the team's inaugural captain.[28] The team also named four alternate captains—Adam Larsson, Jordan Eberle, Yanni Gourde, and Jaden Schwartz.[29] The Kraken played their first regular season game the next day, a 4–3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights,[30] where Ryan Donato scored the team's first goal.[31] The franchise's first win came in their next game two days later, when they defeated the Nashville Predators 4–3.[32] The Kraken played their first home game at Climate Pledge Arena on October 23 in what would be a 4–2 loss to the fellow Pacific Northwest team Vancouver Canucks.[33] Prior to the game, the team retired jersey number 32, in recognition of the franchise being the 32nd to join the NHL and in honor of the 32,000 fans who placed deposits for tickets on the first possible day.[34] The team picked up their first home win on October 26, against the Montreal Canadiens.[35] On February 2, 2022, Grubauer recorded the franchise's first shutout, making 19 saves in a 3–0 victory against the New York Islanders.[36] On March 20, the Kraken's captaincy became vacant after Giordano was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.[37] The team was eliminated from playoff contention on March 30 following a 3–0 loss to the Golden Knights.[38] The Kraken finished their inaugural season in last place of the Pacific Division with a record of 27–49–6.[39]

Hockey player smiling with his neck turned while wearing a blue Seattle Kraken hockey jersey
Matty Beniers, the first-ever draft pick of the Kraken, won the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year at the end of the team's sophomore season.

The Kraken's second season was far superior to their first in terms of winning. On July 13, 2022, the team signed goaltender Martin Jones to a one-year contract.[40] He made his Kraken debut on October 13, notching a 4–1 victory.[41] The Kraken enjoyed an eight-game win streak. While doing, so the franchise became the first team to win all seven games of a seven-game road trip.[42] On April 6, the Kraken clinched their first playoff berth, qualifying for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.[43] Ultimately, the team's record of 46–28–8 and 100 points was good for fourth in the Pacific Division and the first wild card spot in the Western Conference.[44][45] On April 30, the Kraken defeated the Colorado Avalanche in the opening best-of-seven playoff series, becoming the first expansion team in NHL history to win their first playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup champion.[46] The team's playoff run came to an end after the second round where they lost to the Dallas Stars in seven games.[47] On June 26, at the NHL Awards ceremony, Matty Beniers was named the winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy for being the NHL rookie of the year.[48]

The Kraken struggled offensively in their third season, ranking 29th in the league in goals, with only 217.[49] In December and January, following an eight-game skid, goaltender Joey Daccord started in eight out of nine games of a franchise record nine-game win streak, ultimately part of a 13-game point streak.[50] In the midst of the streak, Daccord started in goal for the Kraken during the 2024 NHL Winter Classic, where he achieved the first-ever shutout in Winter Classic history with a 3–0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.[51] The team was eliminated from playoff contention on April 3, following a 5–2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.[52] The Kraken finished their season with a 34–35–13 record, enough for sixth place in their division.[49] On April 29, following the end of the season, head coach Dave Hakstol was fired,[53] being replaced by Coachella Valley Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma on May 28.[54] On October 8, 2024, the Kraken opened the 2024–25 season by naming Jordan Eberle the second captain in franchise history.[55]

Arena

[edit]
Interior view of an arena, featuring two big screens hanging above an ice rink
Interior view of Climate Pledge Arena, the team's home venue, during a public open house

The Kraken play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena.[56] The arena, at Seattle Center, is a $930 million redevelopment of the former KeyArena.[57] On June 25, 2020, Amazon bought the naming rights to KeyArena and chose to rename the venue due to their environmental goals.[58] The venue has 17,151 seats in its ice hockey configuration;[59] 6,000 seats are reserved for half-season ticket holders, who were given the choice of packages named the "Blue Line" and "Red Line".[60] All fans holding tickets are given free transit passes to and from the arena, which is served by several bus routes and the Seattle Center Monorail.[61] Vince Dunn scored the first Kraken goal in the arena's history on October 23, 2021.[62] The Kraken's first shutout win at home was a 3–0 victory over the San Jose Sharks on April 29, 2022, the final home game of their inaugural season.[63]

View of a wood- and glass-exterior building, featuring the Starbucks logo next to the Seattle Kraken logo with the words "Kraken Community Iceplex" written below
Exterior view of the Kraken Community Iceplex in Northgate, the team's training facility

The team's primary practice facility, named the Kraken Community Iceplex, is located at Northgate Station (formerly Northgate Mall) and was opened in September 2021. The facility has three rinks and is open to the public.[64] In 2024, a second community ice rink was proposed for a former park-and-ride lot in Kirkland on the Eastside.[65]

The Kraken's three home preseason games prior to the 2021–22 season were held at Spokane Arena in Spokane, Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, and the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, arenas home to Western Hockey League (WHL) teams, in an event known as the 3-Rink Rush. Tickets for the games were sold by the host WHL teams.[66][67]

In-arena entertainment

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The Kraken use the horn from the MV Hyak ferry boat as their goal horn. At the team's first two home games, the Hyak's horn was not yet functional, so the team only played a recording of it.[68] The team plays the Nirvana song "Lithium" after every Kraken goal at home.[69]

After their first win at home against the Montreal Canadiens on October 26, 2021, the Kraken featured a new postgame tradition during the "Three Stars of the Game" ceremony. Instead of the honored players tossing conventional souvenir pucks or sticks to the fans, they throw a plush toy salmon into the crowd to mimic Seattle's Pike Place Market fish toss and to honor the significance of wild-caught salmon to the state of Washington.[70]

Rod Masters, the organist from the 1977 film Slap Shot, became the organist for the Kraken starting with the team's January 1, 2022, home game against the New York Islanders. As Climate Pledge Arena does not have an organ, Masters played music using electronic keyboards.[71] Masters retired after the 2021–22 season, and the Kraken hired 29-year-old Ben Wooley to replace him.[72]

Team identity

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Logo and uniforms

[edit]

On July 23, 2020, the team held an event to reveal their team branding. The event was held under the banner of "Release the Kraken", a phrase popularized by the 1981 film Clash of the Titans and the 2010 remake.[73] The franchise's promotional materials state that the team's "Kraken" name was adopted to honor the maritime culture of Seattle, as well as in reference to the Giant Pacific octopus, the largest species of octopus in the world, which can be found in the waters of the Pacific Northwest.[74] The Pacific Northwest region also has a history of Scandinavian immigrants and ancestry, further connecting Seattle to the Nordic origin of the “Kraken” mythology. The colors chosen for the team's logo were ice blue, boundless blue, shadow blue and red alert.[75] For the team's jerseys, deep sea blue served as the base color with the logo's colors as accent colors. The first time Kraken uniforms were seen on players was at the 2021 NHL expansion draft.[76]

Hockey player skating while wearing a striped blue hockey jersey
Yanni Gourde donning a Seattle Kraken Reverse Retro jersey

On October 20, 2022, The Kraken unveiled their "Reverse Retro" uniform for the 2022–23 season, featuring an ice blue base with deep sea blue striping. The design was a callback to the Seattle Ironmen, a defunct Pacific Coast Hockey League (PCHL) team that existed in the 1940s.[77]

A hockey player wearing a striped hockey jersey standing in front of a hockey goaltender also wearing a striped jersey
Vince Dunn (left) and Joey Daccord (right) during the 2024 NHL Winter Classic

For the 2024 NHL Winter Classic, the Kraken wore a uniform inspired by the Seattle Metropolitans, a former Stanley Cup-competing team which won the championship in 1917. The deep sea blue uniform features a red "S" similar to the Metropolitans' crest, but shaped to the current "S" logo of the Kraken, with the team name written inside. Ice blue, vintage white and deep sea blue stripes were added to the body and sleeves.[78] The uniform was officially unveiled on November 22, 2023,[79] but was leaked four days earlier when players from the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz walked into their home arena wearing it.[80]

Mascot

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Main article: Buoy (mascot)
Blue-haired troll wearing a Seattle Kraken hockey jersey
Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy at a Coachella Valley Firebirds game

Buoy, a sea troll, is the Kraken's mascot. He is said to be a nephew of the Fremont Troll, a sculpture in Fremont. Buoy was introduced prior to a preseason home game against the Vancouver Canucks on October 1, 2022. The Kraken had intended to introduce Buoy around Christmas during the 2021–22 season, but due to game postponements related to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, the team decided to wait until prior to the 2022–23 season instead.[81] Reaction to Buoy's debut was polarized, with many observers expressing a strong like or dislike for the mascot.[82]

In 2022, on his Spittin' Chiclets podcast, Paul Bissonnette called Buoy "the ugliest mascot of all time."[83] The commentator and the mascot traded insults on Twitter in the days before the 2024 NHL Winter Classic. During an intermission report at the Winter Classic, Buoy confronted Bissonnette wearing a pair of large boxing gloves; Bissonette responded by throwing his microphone at Buoy, after which Buoy pursued Bissonnette with a "Kick Me" sign, and Bissonnette knocked the mascot down with a high shoulder, following up with an elbow drop.[84]

During the 2021–22 season, in the absence of an official mascot, the Kraken promoted a "team dog" named Davy Jones. The dog, a four-month-old husky mix rescue dog introduced on January 17, 2022, socialized with fans at home games as he trained to be a therapy dog.[85]

Broadcasting

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Further information: List of Seattle Kraken broadcasters

Television

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John Forslund holding a microphone
John Forslund has been the Kraken's play-by-play announcer for all three of their seasons.

Kraken games are televised through the Kraken Hockey Network (KHN), which includes over-the-air television stations in Seattle (KING-TV and KONG), Spokane (KREM and KSKN), and Yakima (KAPP and KVEW), Washington; Eugene (KEVU and KLSR-TV) and Portland (KGW), Oregon; and Anchorage (KAUU) and Juneau (KYEX-LD), Alaska. Games can also be streamed locally on Amazon Prime Video.[86] Games were televised regionally on Root Sports Northwest for the team's first three seasons.[87]

Former Hartford Whalers and Carolina Hurricanes broadcaster John Forslund serves as the team's television play-by-play announcer.[88][89] J. T. Brown is the Kraken's primary television color analyst.[90] In August 2022, the team hired Eddie Olczyk to be a television analyst alongside Forslund and Brown. Olczyk maintained his job at TNT as the lead color commentator and called the Kraken's games as his schedule allowed.[91] Alison Lukan is a studio analyst for the Kraken. Nick Olczyk, Eddie's brother, joined her as a TV, radio, and mobile app contributor for the 2022–23 season.[92] After the 2023–24 season, Nick Olczyk joined the broadcast team of the NHL's new expansion team, the Utah Hockey Club.[93]

The telecast for the Kraken's February 17, 2022, game against the Winnipeg Jets had Everett Fitzhugh on play-by-play and Brown on color commentary, comprising the first all-Black broadcast booth in NHL history.[94]

Television ratings

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In their first season, the Kraken averaged a 0.96 Nielsen rating for games broadcast on Root Sports Northwest. By comparison, the Vegas Golden Knights averaged a 1.87 rating in their first season for games broadcast locally on AT&T SportsNet.[95]

From the beginning of their second season through mid-January 2023, the Kraken averaged a 0.68 rating, in the lowest third of the 23 United States NHL markets for which Nielsen ratings were available, despite a much better record than their first season at the same point.[96] The team launched a new show, entitled What's Kraken?, on the over-the-air station KCPQ, to broaden fan support during the 2022–23 season.[97] Seattle's high percentage of "broadband-only" homes, without cable or satellite TV service, and the unavailability of Root Sports Northwest on most over-the-top media services, contributed to the low ratings.[98]

During their second and third seasons, the Kraken averaged a 0.7 rating for their October games on Root Sports Northwest. Shortly before the 2022–23 season, Comcast moved Root Sports Northwest to a higher-priced tier of service, due to the high cost and low demand for the channel.[99]

Radio

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Kraken games are broadcast on KJR-FM 93.3 and KJR 950 AM, the flagship stations of the Kraken Audio Network. During a schedule conflict, some games may be heard on 96.5 KJAQ.[100][101] The Kraken Audio Network also includes several other stations outside Seattle.[102]

Everett Fitzhugh serves as the team's primary radio play-by-play announcer. He is the first Black full-time play-by-play announcer in NHL history.[103][88] Former NHL player and Vancouver Canucks broadcaster Dave Tomlinson served as Fitzhugh's color analyst for the Kraken's first two seasons,[104] before resigning in August 2023 to take a new broadcasting job in Canada.[105] The Kraken then hired former Seattle Thunderbirds forward and Everett Silvertips commentator Al Kinisky to replace him.[106] Mike Benton is the studio host for all radio broadcasts, serving pre-game, intermission, and post-game coverage.

In 2021, Fitzhugh tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the Kraken's first-ever regular season road trip; on radio broadcasts, John Forslund and veteran KJR broadcaster Ian Furness filled in on play-by-play duties.[107]

Minor league affiliates

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American Hockey League

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The Coachella Valley Firebirds, the AHL affiliate of the Kraken, are based in Thousand Palms, California.[108] After the Kraken were approved into the NHL by the Board of Governors, the team's ownership group began making plans for acquiring a minor league affiliate in the AHL. By early 2019, they had narrowed it down to promoting the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads in Boise, Idaho, or a new expansion team in the area of Palm Springs, California. On June 26, 2019, it was reported the Seattle ownership group had chosen Palm Springs as the site for Seattle's AHL affiliate.[109] The expansion franchise was approved by the AHL Board of Governors on September 30, 2019, with plans to begin play in the 2021–22 season.[110] Delays associated with the construction of an arena in the Palm Springs area caused the team's debut to be pushed back to the 2022–23 season. On November 5, 2021, the new team revealed its name, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, as well as its logos and colors, at a ceremony held on the construction site of their new arena.[111] The Firebirds have reached the Calder Cup Finals in each of their first two seasons.[112]

As the Firebirds were not ready for the 2021–22 season, Seattle affiliated with the Charlotte Checkers, sharing the team with the Florida Panthers.[113] After clinching their division,[114] the Checkers advanced to the Division Finals of the 2022 Calder Cup playoffs, where they lost to the Springfield Thunderbirds.[115]

ECHL

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For their inaugural season, the Kraken's ECHL affiliate was the Texas-based Allen Americans.[116] They were replaced by the Kansas City Mavericks in that capacity for the 2022–23 season.[117]

Season-by-season record

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This is a list of the seasons completed by the Kraken. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Seattle Kraken seasons.

Key: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

List of seasons completed by the Kraken
Season GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
2021–22 82 27 49 6 60 216 285 8th, Pacific Did not qualify
2022–23 82 46 28 8 100 289 256 4th, Pacific Lost in second round, 3–4 (Stars)
2023–24 82 34 35 13 81 217 236 6th, Pacific Did not qualify

Players and personnel

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Main article: List of Seattle Kraken players

Current roster

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As of November 8, 2024.[118][119]

No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
10 United States Matty Beniers (A) C L 22 2021 Hingham, Massachusetts
22 Denmark Oliver Bjorkstrand RW R 29 2022 Herning, Denmark
3 United States Will Borgen D R 27 2021 Moorhead, Minnesota
95 Sweden Andre Burakovsky LW L 29 2022 Klagenfurt, Austria
35 United States Joey Daccord G L 28 2021 Boston, Massachusetts
29 Canada Vince Dunn Injured Reserve D L 28 2021 Mississauga, Ontario
7 Canada Jordan Eberle (C) RW R 34 2021 Regina, Saskatchewan
41 Canada Ryker Evans D L 22 2021 Calgary, Alberta
37 Canada Yanni Gourde (A) C L 32 2021 Saint-Narcisse, Quebec
31 Germany Philipp Grubauer G L 32 2021 Rosenheim, Germany
12 Canada Tye Kartye LW L 23 2022 Kingston, Ontario
6 Sweden Adam Larsson (A) D R 31 2021 Skellefteå, Sweden
28 Canada Josh Mahura D L 26 2024 St. Albert, Alberta
19 Canada Jared McCann C L 28 2021 Stratford, Ontario
62 Canada Brandon Montour D R 30 2024 Ohsweken, Ontario
24 Canada Jamie Oleksiak D L 31 2021 Toronto, Ontario
17 Canada Jaden Schwartz (A) LW L 32 2021 Melfort, Saskatchewan
91 Canada Daniel Sprong RW R 27 2024 Amsterdam, Netherlands
9 Canada Chandler Stephenson C L 30 2024 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
30 Czech Republic Ales Stezka G L 27 2023 Plzeň, Czech Republic
13 Canada Brandon Tanev LW L 32 2021 Toronto, Ontario
20 Finland Eeli Tolvanen RW L 25 2022 Vihti, Finland
51 Canada Shane Wright C R 20 2022 Burlington, Ontario


Owners

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The Kraken are owned by Seattle Hockey Partners, an organization consisting of David Bonderman, Jerry Bruckheimer and Tod Leiweke.[120]

Head coaches

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Main article: List of Seattle Kraken head coaches

General managers

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Team captains

[edit]

Retired numbers

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  • 32 was retired on October 23, 2021, immediately before the team played their first regular season home game, in recognition of the team being the 32nd to join the NHL and in honor of the 32,000 fans who placed deposits for tickets on the first possible day.[34]
  • 99 was retired by the NHL for all its member teams in honor of Wayne Gretzky at the 2000 National Hockey League All-Star Game.[122]

Team and league awards

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Team awards

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The Kraken have four player awards that are given after each season. The Kraken's most valuable player, as voted on by Seattle-area media, receives the Pete Muldoon Award. The player with the most mentions in the Three Stars of the Game ceremony of each Kraken home game, computed using a points system, wins the Three Stars of the Year Award. The Guyle Fielder Award goes to the teammate who best exemplifies "perseverance, hustle, and dedication" as voted upon by their teammates and coaches. The Fan Favorite Award goes to a player who wins a fan vote.[123][124]

League awards

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Matty Beniers won the Calder Memorial Trophy at the end of the Kraken's sophomore season after leading all rookies in points, with 57, and tying for the lead in goals among rookies, with 24.[126][48]

Calder Memorial Trophy

Franchise records

[edit]
Main article: List of Seattle Kraken records

Adam Larsson has the most games played out of any Kraken, with 245.[127] Jared McCann leads the Kraken in both goals and points, with 96 and 182, respectively.[128][129] Vince Dunn leads the Kraken in assists, with 113.[130]

 *  – current Kraken player

Key: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points


References

[edit]
  1. ^ Condor, Bob (July 25, 2020). "Color Guardians". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  2. ^ Ayala, Erica (July 23, 2020). "No Need to Blink: Kraken are Real". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 20, 2023. Deep-sea blue and ice blue are the primary colors of the logo. Boundless and shadow blue accent the tentacle details, and red alert serves as the color of the eye of the Kraken. The bold "S" represents authenticity to hockey in Seattle, the shades of blue represent the nobility of a city by the sea and the red represents the mystery and beast of the Kraken.
  3. ^ Cotsonika, Nicholas J. (July 23, 2020). "Seattle Kraken reveal nickname for NHL expansion team". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 20, 2023. The primary color is deep sea blue. The secondary colors are ice blue, shadow blue, boundless blue and red alert.
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