Seattle Kraken Overview
The Seattle Kraken are a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle, Washington, competing in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. Founded in 2021, the team began play during the 2021–22 NHL season and plays its home games at Climate Pledge Arena. Owned by Seattle Hockey Partners, the franchise is led by Jerry Bruckheimer, Tod Leiweke, and Samantha Holloway, with minority stakeholders including Adrian Hanauer, Andy Jassy, Tim Leiweke, Marshawn Lynch, and Macklemore. Their team colors reflect several shades of blue, including deep sea blue, ice blue, boundless blue, and shadow blue, paired with a red alert accent, and their mascot is Buoy, a sea troll inspired by local Seattle culture. Despite being a relatively young franchise, the Kraken made history by becoming the first expansion team to win a playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Professional ice hockey in Seattle traces back to the formation of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association’s Seattle Metropolitans in 1915, with the 1917 Metropolitans becoming the first United States-based team to win the Stanley Cup before folding in 1924. Interest in returning the NHL to Seattle grew throughout the 2010s as the league explored potential expansion or relocation options tied to a viable arena project. A 2013 study by statistician Nate Silver concluded that Seattle had the largest number of avid ice hockey fans of any United States media market that did not host an NHL team, strengthening the case for expansion.
On December 4, 2017, the Seattle City Council voted 7–1 to approve a memorandum of understanding between the City of Seattle and Oak View Group, a sports company co-founded by Tim Leiweke, for renovations of KeyArena. Three days later, the NHL Board of Governors agreed to consider an expansion application from Seattle with an expansion fee set at US$650 million. The Seattle ownership group was represented by David Bonderman and Jerry Bruckheimer, and the Board of Governors voted unanimously to approve the addition of the Seattle expansion team exactly one year after the memorandum. In mid-2019, the organization hired Ron Francis as the general manager to initiate operations for the new franchise.
Growth Into National Hockey League Competition
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 in the NHL. The Kraken signed their first player, Luke Henman, on May 12 of that year, and later hired Dave Hakstol as their inaugural head coach. A three-day negotiation window allowed the Kraken to sign unrestricted free agents before other teams, and they used that period to add Adam Larsson, Jamie Oleksiak, and Chris Driedger. An expansion draft was then held at Gas Works Park in front of more than 4,000 fans, and the franchise used its second-overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft to select center Matty Beniers from the University of Michigan.
During their first free-agency period, the Kraken signed forwards Alexander Wennberg and Jaden Schwartz, along with goaltender Philipp Grubauer. The organization built a roster prioritizing speed, character, and competitiveness, while also establishing broadcast and community programs that would support the team long term. Minor league affiliations were arranged to develop prospects, with the Coachella Valley Firebirds later becoming the team’s American Hockey League affiliate and the Kansas City Mavericks serving as the ECHL affiliate from the 2022–23 season onward.
Seattle Kraken Competitive Journey
The Kraken’s competitive journey has unfolded across five NHL seasons, beginning with a difficult inaugural year and progressing to a historic playoff upset, followed by roster adjustments and a new leadership structure. Each season has shaped the team’s identity, with a focus on developing young talent and building a sustainable winning culture.
Early Seasons and Development (2021–2023)
The Kraken played their first regular season game on October 12, 2021, a 4–3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, in which Ryan Donato scored the first goal in franchise history. The team’s first win came two days later, a 4–3 victory over the Nashville Predators, while their first home win came on October 26 against the Montreal Canadiens. Mark Giordano was named the franchise’s inaugural captain, with Jordan Eberle, Yanni Gourde, Jaden Schwartz, and Adam Larsson serving as alternate captains. The Kraken finished their inaugural season last in the Pacific Division with a 27–49–6 record, the only team besides the Arizona Coyotes to record fewer than 60 points in the Western Conference.
The Kraken improved significantly in their second season, finishing with a 46–28–8 record and 100 points, good for fourth place in the Pacific Division and the first wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference. During the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Kraken upset the Colorado Avalanche in seven games in the first round, becoming the first expansion team in NHL history to win their first playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup champion. Their playoff run ended in the second round with a seven-game loss to the Dallas Stars, and Matty Beniers later won the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.
Breakthrough in the NHL (2023–2024)
The Kraken struggled offensively in their third season, ranking 29th in the league with only 217 goals scored and finishing with an 81-point campaign that left them out of playoff contention. Despite the team’s broader difficulties, goaltender Joey Daccord helped guide the franchise through a nine-game win streak during the winter, including a 3–0 shutout of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2024 NHL Winter Classic. That shutout marked the first in Winter Classic history. Following the season, head coach Dave Hakstol was fired and replaced by Dan Bylsma, signaling a change in direction for the organization.
During the 2024 offseason, the Kraken hired Jessica Campbell as the NHL’s first female coach, reflecting the organization’s commitment to broadening its leadership ranks. The team named Jordan Eberle the second captain in franchise history, continuing a tradition of veteran leadership. Off the ice, the Kraken promoted Justin Rogers to head trainer, making him the first openly gay man to serve in that role in the NHL.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2024–Present)
During their fourth season, the Kraken missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year, finishing with a 35–41–6 record and seventh place in the Pacific Division. Following the season, head coach Dan Bylsma was fired after one year, and general manager Ron Francis was promoted to president of hockey operations. Jason Botterill, formerly the general manager of the Buffalo Sabres, was hired to take over as the new general manager, and Lane Lambert was named the franchise’s third head coach on May 29. These changes signaled a renewed focus on long-term roster construction and competitive consistency.
The Kraken have continued to invest in infrastructure and community programs, including a proposed second community ice rink in Kirkland expected to open in late 2027. The team’s practice facility, the Kraken Community Iceplex, remains a hub for player development and public skating in the Seattle area. Under the current leadership of Botterill, Lambert, and president of hockey operations Ron Francis, the organization is working to translate early postseason success into sustained competitiveness.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The Kraken have built their competitive identity around speed, character, and competitiveness, values articulated by Ron Francis when he first took over the general manager role. The team has emphasized responsible defensive play, strong goaltending performances from players like Philipp Grubauer, Martin Jones, and Joey Daccord, and the steady development of young forwards such as Matty Beniers. Their postgame tradition of tossing plush salmon during the Three Stars ceremony reflects a unique blend of Seattle culture and fan engagement that has become a signature part of the franchise.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Key milestones in franchise history include the retirement of jersey number 32 to honor the Kraken’s status as the NHL’s 32nd franchise, the team’s first shutout victory in February 2022, and the historic 2023 playoff upset of the Colorado Avalanche. The franchise also recorded the first seven-game road winning streak in NHL history during the 2022–23 season and produced the first NHL Winter Classic shutout in 2024. Off the ice, the hiring of Jessica Campbell as the NHL’s first female coach and the promotion of Justin Rogers as the league’s first openly gay head trainer stand as significant organizational moments.
Seattle Kraken Achievements and Results
Although the Kraken have yet to capture a Stanley Cup, conference championship, or division title, the franchise has already compiled several notable accomplishments in its short history. The team has earned individual league recognition through Matty Beniers’ Calder Memorial Trophy win, and the organization has established meaningful on-ice and off-ice milestones that reflect both competitive progress and cultural impact.
NHL Achievements
The Kraken’s most significant NHL achievement came during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, when they became the first expansion team in league history to win their first playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup champion, upsetting the Colorado Avalanche in seven games. The franchise also produced the Calder Memorial Trophy winner in Matty Beniers, who led all rookies with 57 points and tied for the rookie lead with 24 goals during the 2022–23 season. The team recorded its first Winter Classic shutout in 2024, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3–0 behind goaltender Joey Daccord.
Conference Achievements
The Kraken have not yet won a Western Conference championship, but the franchise made its deepest postseason run during the 2022–23 season, advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs after securing a wild card spot. That playoff appearance remains the team’s only postseason berth through its first five seasons, and it remains the foundation upon which the organization is building future conference-level success. The Kraken have continued to push for a return to playoff contention under the leadership of general manager Jason Botterill and head coach Lane Lambert.
Divisional Achievements
The Kraken have yet to capture a Pacific Division title, with their best divisional finish coming during the 2022–23 season when they placed fourth in the Pacific with 100 points. Since then, the team has finished sixth and seventh in the division across its third and fourth seasons, reflecting the competitive balance of the Western Conference. Continued development of young players and strategic roster moves are expected to support future divisional competitiveness.
Series Achievements
The Kraken’s most notable series achievement remains the 2023 first-round upset of the Colorado Avalanche, which set an NHL record as the first time an expansion team defeated a defending Stanley Cup champion in its first playoff series. The franchise has not yet captured a playoff series beyond that opening round, but the accomplishment established a foundation of postseason confidence for the organization. With new leadership in place and continued investment in player development, the Kraken are working toward adding further series victories to their growing list of accomplishments.
