The Kraken Call

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 play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena. The team's first-ever draft pick was Matty Beniers, who won the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year at the end of the 2022–23 season.

Did You Know?

• The Kraken's first win came against the Nashville Predators on October 14, 2021.
• The Kraken retired jersey number 32 before their first home game to honor the 32,000 fans who placed deposits for tickets.

Founding and Expansion Journey

The path to bringing professional hockey back to Seattle was a complex saga spanning decades. While the city hosted the Stanley Cup-winning Seattle Metropolitans in 1917, the franchise folded by 1924, leaving a long void until renewed interest emerged over a decade ago. Speculation intensified when the Phoenix Coyotes faced potential relocation, though a local arena deal ultimately kept them in Glendale. The modern revival began in earnest after the Seattle City Council approved renovations for KeyArena and an expansion fee of $650 million was set. In 2018, the NHL Board unanimously approved the new franchise, led by ownership group members David Bonderman and Jerry Bruckheimer. General Manager Ron Francis was hired to prioritize speed, character, and competitiveness. The team officially became the league's 32nd member in April 2021 after paying the final expansion installment, culminating in a historic expansion draft at Gas Works Park where they selected key players like Adam Larsson and Matty Beniers.

Inaugural Season and Early Struggles

The Seattle Kraken officially commenced their NHL journey during the 2021–22 season, playing home games at the newly renamed Climate Pledge Arena. Despite high expectations following a robust expansion draft, the team faced significant challenges in its debut year. They finished last in the Pacific Division with only 60 points, marking a difficult start for the franchise. The inaugural roster included notable signings such as Alexander Wennberg and Jaden Schwartz, along with goaltender Philipp Grubauer, while Mark Giordano was named the first captain. Their very first game resulted in a narrow loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, though Ryan Donato scored the team's historic first goal. A win against the Nashville Predators followed quickly, but the overall season performance highlighted the steep learning curve for an expansion team trying to establish its identity within a competitive Western Conference.

Breakthrough Playoffs and Subsequent Volatility

The franchise achieved a monumental milestone during the 2022–23 season by securing their first playoff berth as a wild card. After finishing fourth in their division with 100 points, they staged a stunning upset against the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche, winning the series in seven games to become the first expansion team to defeat the reigning champions in their initial postseason appearance. However, this success was short-lived as they fell to the Dallas Stars in the second round. The following season saw a sharp decline; the Kraken missed the playoffs entirely with just 81 points and only 217 goals scored. This regression led to the dismissal of head coach Dave Hakstol and his replacement by Dan Bylsma. Performance continued to struggle through the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons, resulting in further coaching changes with Lane Lambert taking over and a management shuffle that moved Ron Francis to president of hockey operations while Jason Botterill became general manager.

Organizational Structure and Leadership Evolution

Since their inception, the Kraken have undergone significant leadership transitions reflecting the pressures of building a competitive roster. The organization was initially guided by General Manager Ron Francis, who set early priorities for team culture and player selection. Following several seasons of inconsistent results, including missing the playoffs in consecutive years after their initial breakthrough, the front office underwent major restructuring. In a notable shift during the 2025 offseason, the team parted ways with head coach Dan Bylsma and hired Lane Lambert to lead the on-ice operations. Simultaneously, Ron Francis transitioned from general manager to president of hockey operations, while Jason Botterill was appointed as the new general manager. These changes underscore the franchise's ongoing effort to stabilize its direction after a rollercoaster period that saw them rise from last place to playoff contenders before regressing again.