Amazon Climate Pledge

Lore & Background

The Kraken struggled during their inaugural season and finished last in the Pacific Division with 60 points. During the 2022–23 season, the team achieved a record of 46–28–8 and 100 points, securing fourth place in the Pacific Division and the first playoff wild card spot in the Western Conference. During the playoffs, the Kraken faced off against the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. They upset the Avalanche in seven games, becoming the first expansion team to win their first playoff series over the defending Stanley Cup champion. However, they lost to the Dallas Stars in the second round, ending their second season. During the 2023–24 season, the team missed the playoffs, scoring only 217 goals and achieving only 81 points. This caused the Kraken to fire head coach Dave Hakstol and hire Dan Bylsma. During the 2024–25 season, the team regressed, managing only 76 points. Following the season, the Kraken once again fired their head coach, parting ways with Bylsma and hiring Lane Lambert. The team also replaced general manager Ron Francis with Jason Botterill, making Francis the Kraken's president of hockey operations. The team finished the 2025–26 season with 79 points, missing the playoffs once again.

Reader's Guide

The Kraken improved significantly in their second season. During the offseason, the team signed goaltender Martin Jones to a one-year contract. In January 2023, Jones appeared for the Kraken in seven games of 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. Eventually, the Kraken clinched their first playoff berth, qualifying for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. The team's record of 46–28–8 and 100 points placed the team fourth in the Pacific Division, thus achieving the first wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference. 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. The team's playoff run came to an end after the second round where they lost to the Dallas Stars in seven games. 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.

Foundational History and Market Demand

The path to Seattle's return to professional hockey began long before the modern franchise existed. The city's deep roots trace back to the Seattle Metropolitans, who made history in 1917 as the first American team to capture the Stanley Cup, though they folded by 1924. Decades later, the Seattle Totems kept the sport alive in the Western Hockey League until 1975. By 2012, NHL interest surged, with statistical analysis revealing Seattle possessed the largest base of avid fans among U.S. markets without a team. Speculation intensified when the Phoenix Coyotes faced relocation threats in 2013, prompting a contingency plan for local investors to purchase and move the franchise. Although Glendale ultimately retained the Coyotes, the momentum continued. In late 2017, the city approved arena renovations with Oak View Group, leading to the NHL Board's unanimous approval of an expansion application in December 2018. This paved the way for a $650 million investment that officially established the Seattle Kraken as the league's 32nd member in April 2021.

Building the Roster and Expansion Draft

Constructing a competitive team required strategic leadership, beginning with the hiring of Ron Francis as general manager in mid-2019. Francis prioritized speed, character, and competitiveness when shaping the roster. The organization officially unveiled its identity in July 2020, selecting the name 'Seattle Kraken' along with distinct branding and jersey designs. A unique pre-draft free agency period allowed Seattle to secure key players like Adam Larsson, Jamie Oleksiak, and Chris Driedger before other teams could intervene. The expansion draft itself was a historic spectacle held at Gas Works Park, drawing over 4,000 spectators in an event mirroring the 2017 Vegas Golden Knights process. Following this, the Kraken utilized their second-overall pick in the entry draft to select Matty Beniers from the University of Michigan, a standout center who had led NCAA rookies in goals the previous season. These foundational moves set the stage for the team's inaugural free agency signings and the appointment of Mark Giordano as the first captain.

Inaugural Season and Playoff Breakthrough

The Kraken commenced their journey on October 12, 2021, suffering a narrow opening-night loss to Vegas before securing their first victory against Nashville two days later. Their inaugural season at Climate Pledge Arena proved challenging; the team finished last in the Pacific Division with only 60 points, marking a difficult start for the expansion franchise. However, resilience defined their second year. During the 2022–23 campaign, Seattle surged to a 46–28–8 record, accumulating 100 points and clinching the Western Conference's first playoff wild card spot. This momentum carried into the postseason, where they faced the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche. In a stunning upset that went the full seven games, the Kraken eliminated the Avalanche, becoming the first expansion team in history to win their initial playoff series against the reigning champion. Although their run ended in the second round against the Dallas Stars, this achievement cemented their status as a formidable new force in the league.

Coaching Turmoil and Recent Regression

Following their historic playoff appearance, the Kraken experienced significant volatility in subsequent seasons. The 2023–24 campaign saw a sharp decline, with the team missing the playoffs after scoring only 81 points and 217 goals. This performance triggered a major leadership change: head coach Dave Hakstol was dismissed and replaced by Dan Bylsma. Unfortunately, stability remained elusive as the team regressed further in the 2024–25 season, managing just 76 points. The front office responded with another sweeping overhaul, parting ways with Bylsma to hire Lane Lambert as head coach while simultaneously replacing general manager Ron Francis with Jason Botterill, moving Francis to president of hockey operations. Despite these adjustments, the 2025–26 season yielded only 79 points, resulting in a second consecutive missed playoff appearance. This period highlights the ongoing challenges the franchise faces in maintaining consistency and translating early promise into sustained success.

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