Seattle Kraken Overview
The Seattle Kraken are a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle, Washington, competing in the National Hockey League (NHL) as part of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. Founded in 2021, the Kraken play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena and are owned by Seattle Hockey Partners, led by Jerry Bruckheimer, Tod Leiweke, and Samantha Holloway. The team is recognized for its deep sea blue and red alert colors and its mascot Buoy, a sea troll inspired by Seattle culture.
Founding and Organizational Origins
The Seattle Kraken were established following the NHL’s approval of an expansion franchise for Seattle in 2018, with the team officially joining the league in 2021. The ownership group, Seattle Hockey Partners, includes notable figures such as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tod Leiweke, Samantha Holloway, Adrian Hanauer, Andy Jassy, Tim Leiweke, Marshawn Lynch, and Macklemore. The franchise was created to bring NHL hockey back to Seattle, a city with a rich hockey history dating back to the Seattle Metropolitans, the first U.S.-based team to win the Stanley Cup in 1917. The team’s branding and identity were designed to honor the maritime culture of Seattle and the Nordic origins of the Kraken mythology.
Growth Into NHL Competition
The Kraken began assembling their roster and operations in 2019, hiring Ron Francis as president of hockey operations and Jason Botterill as general manager. The team signed key players such as Adam Larsson, Jamie Oleksiak, and Chris Driedger during their expansion draft and free agency periods. The Kraken’s inaugural season commenced in 2021–22, with home games played at the newly renovated Climate Pledge Arena. The franchise also established minor league affiliations with the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the AHL and the Kansas City Mavericks in the ECHL to support player development.
Seattle Kraken Competitive Journey
Since their inception, the Seattle Kraken have rapidly developed as a competitive NHL team, progressing from a challenging first season to making a historic playoff run in their second year.
Early Seasons and Development (2021–2022)
The Kraken’s inaugural season was marked by typical expansion team struggles, finishing last in the Pacific Division with 60 points. The team’s first goal was scored by Ryan Donato, and their first win came against the Nashville Predators. The franchise retired jersey number 32 in honor of being the 32nd NHL team and the 32,000 fans who placed ticket deposits. Despite finishing near the bottom of the standings, the Kraken laid the foundation for future success with key player acquisitions and organizational development.
Breakthrough in NHL (2022–2023)
The Kraken showed significant improvement in their second season, finishing with a 46–28–8 record and 100 points, securing a playoff berth as the first wild card in the Western Conference. They made NHL history by becoming the first expansion team to win a playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup champions, defeating the Colorado Avalanche in seven games. The team’s playoff run ended in the second round against the Dallas Stars. Matty Beniers, a standout rookie, earned the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year, highlighting the team’s growing talent.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2023–Present)
The Kraken’s third and fourth seasons saw challenges, including offensive struggles and coaching changes. After firing head coach Dave Hakstol following the 2023 season, the team hired Dan Bylsma, who was later replaced by Lane Lambert in 2025. General manager Ron Francis was promoted to president of hockey operations, with Jason Botterill taking over as general manager. The team continues to develop its roster and infrastructure, maintaining affiliations with minor league teams and enhancing community engagement through facilities like the Kraken Community Iceplex.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The Seattle Kraken emphasize speed, character, and competitiveness, focusing on building a resilient and dynamic team. Their strategy includes strong defensive play, effective goaltending, and developing young talent, which has helped them achieve notable milestones early in their franchise history.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Key moments include the franchise’s first goal and win in 2021, retiring jersey number 32, clinching their first playoff berth in 2023, and upsetting the defending Stanley Cup champions in their first playoff series. The team also introduced their mascot Buoy in 2022, a symbol of Seattle’s local culture.
Seattle Kraken Achievements and Results
Despite being a young franchise, the Seattle Kraken have quickly established themselves with significant achievements, including playoff victories and individual player honors.
NHL Achievements
The Kraken secured their first playoff appearance in the 2022–23 season, achieving a historic series win over the Colorado Avalanche. Matty Beniers’ Calder Memorial Trophy win marked a major individual accolade for the franchise. While the team has yet to win division or conference championships, their rapid competitive progress is notable for a new NHL team.
Conference Achievements
Competing in the Western Conference, the Kraken earned a playoff wild card spot in their second season, demonstrating their ability to contend within a competitive conference. Their upset of the reigning Stanley Cup champions in the playoffs was a standout conference achievement.
Divisional Achievements
As members of the Pacific Division, the Kraken have yet to win a division title but have shown marked improvement from their inaugural season, finishing fourth in the division in their second year.
Series Achievements
The Kraken’s first playoff series victory in 2023 against the Colorado Avalanche was a landmark achievement, marking the first time an expansion team defeated the defending Stanley Cup champions in their initial playoff series. This milestone established the Kraken as a rising competitive force in the NHL.
