Soon enough, Kraken-watchers will turn their attention to esoteric topics - you know, who makes the team, wins and losses, playoff races - so on this special day let's honor the unsung heroes of the gameday experience. NHL mascots. We're coming up on the two-year anniversary of the arrival of Buoy, the Seattle Kraken mascot. As this excerpt from a Seattle Kraken tweet reminds us, Buoy descended from the Climate Pledge Arena roof for the first time on October 1, 2022. (Video is silent.) The Kraken reveal their new team mascot, a sea troll named Buoy during pre-season game in September 2023. Buoy, explained [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/news/kraken-new-mascot-buoy-troll-meaning-seattle/h0rwqibvby29qjhnoxd4qxnw] The Sporting News, "was inspired by the Fremont Troll, a public sculpture underneath the Aurora Bridge in Seattle. In fact, the Kraken claim that Buoy is the nephew of the Fremont Troll." Go on? "His blue fur matches the team's color scheme and his hair is a nod to hockey hair. A tentacle that dangles from Buoy's ear is a way to let fans know Buoy 'had an encounter with a kraken,' and his earring is the same anchor used as the team's shoulder patch." With that history out of the way, let's get on with the league-wide mascot comparisons. GOING TO THE DOGS Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwODA2MDczOTA3NTUzNjY2/1-canine-mascots.jpg] R.I.P. the Arizona Coyotes' Howler, who earned extra points for his Kachina doppelganger. Bernie gets double extra points because he always brings the booze. Harvey looks like he's been lapping from Bernie's brandy. I mean, he's already lost his sweater. Get it together, Harvey. FEELIN' FELINE Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwODA5OTUzODczNjM0Njkw/1--lions--tigers.jpg] The NHL's feline mascots require explanation. Sabretooth, the Buffalo Sabres mascot, is neither a buffalo nor a sabre, but shares a name with the big cat which went extinct 10,000 years ago. Well, there is one other still prowling: Gnash, mascot of the Nashville Predators, is also a saber-tooth tiger. Lion Sparty of the Ottawa Senators seems in conflict with the club logo. Ottawa's logo is of a Roman Centurion. Sparty, short for Spartacat, references Sparta, an ancient Greek city-state. The Romans and Spartans fought a war in 195 B.C.E. Maybe it's better not think about this too deeply. Bailey, the L.A. Kings lion mascot, is named for a person. Kings scout and former NHL player Ace Bailey was aboard one of the planes which crashed into the World Trade Center on 9/11. LYNX IN THE DESCRIPTION Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwODA5OTUzODczNjM0NTA4/1-mammal-mascots.jpg] Look who's shoulder-to-shoulder! Mascots from this year's Stanley Cup Final. Like Bailey, Edmonton Oilers mascot Hunter is named not for an animal - though it portrays a Canadian lynx - but for a person. Bill Hunter was a famous builder in Edmonton's hockey history. No sleight-of-hand for the Florida Panthers, whose mascot is Stanley C. Panther. Stan does have to share the spotlight with Victor E. Rat, an homage to plastic-rat throwing fans during Florida's 1996 run to the Final. Two other clubs have land-based mammal mascots. The Carolina Hurricanes revel in being called "a bunch of jerks." Their mascot honoring hog farmers, Stormy, will one day be a bunch of jerky. Mick E. Moose, mascot of the Winnipeg Jets, has remarkably avoided being sued by Disney. Mick could trade places with the Seattle Mariners Moose and no one would notice, because no one knows what connection a moose has to either franchise. LIVING THE LIFE AQUATIC Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwODA3NDk5NTY4MjYwMzAw/1-aquatic-mascots.jpg] The Kraken aren't represented in this category, but cousin Al, non-costumed mascot of the Detroit Red Wings, is. The octopus' eight limbs represented the number of wins needed to capture the Stanley Cup in the Original Six era. Rumor has it that S.J. Sharkie, San Jose Sharks mascot, never sleeps, but instead walks endlessly in circles around the concourse of SAP Center. Vancouver Canucks Orca mascot Fin relates back to the club's ownership group. Canucks Sports & Entertainment was previously known as Orca Bay. Editor's Note: Tomorrow, we analyze the rest of the NHL mascots, and explain why the New York Rangers don't have one.
