PREVIEWING THE PACIFIC: Seattle Kraken
The 100-point Kraken look to make the next step and compete with the top tier of the Pacific Division.
Perry Nelson - USA TODAY Sports - PREVIEWING THE PACIFIC: Seattle KrakenThe Vegas Golden Knights will face threats from all teams in the Pacific Division. Some threats are naturally more dangerous than others.
In this article, we take a look at the Seattle Kraken.
History against Vegas
Vegas won the season series 3-1 against Vancouver. Seattle earned its first win over Vegas on Nov. 25, 2022. Overall, the Kraken are 1-7-0 against the Golden Knights.
What THN thinks of the team
Glenn Dreyfuss site editor of The Hockey News’s Seattle Kraken site, said the following about the Kraken team:
“Despite substantially the same lineup, there's reason to wonder whether the Seattle Kraken can replicate their 46-win, 100-point season. Seattle’s 5-on-5 scoring was historically good last year, with a shooting percentage unlikely to be duplicated. The Kraken were also blessed with unusually good overall health.
Seattle will count on 40-goal scorer Jared McCann, Calder Trophy winner Matty Beniers, and the return of Andre Burakovsky, one of the few Kraken to miss significant playing time. Without a true superstar, coach Dave Hakstol's four line, "winning by committee" formula will again be put to the test. Free agent forwards Kailer Yamamoto and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare are backfilling 4th-line departures.
Strangely enough, hope lies in improving areas of last season's weakness. Seattle thrived despite below-average special teams, faceoff prowess, and regular-season goaltending. A continuation of sparkling playoff form by goalie Philipp Grubauer will be essential.
Three prospects have impressed in camp: 2022 1st round draft choice Shane Wright (C), AHL rookie of the year Tye Kartye (LW), and 2021 2nd round choice Ryker Evans (D). Expect all three to see time in Seattle, even if they're not on the club's opening night roster against the Golden Knights.”
Will they challenge for the Pacific?
The Kraken look to make the next step, but early projections and predictions have the Kraken falling off a little bit. I don’t think they’re necessarily at the level of the top of the division, but they’ll be competing with Calgary and Vancouver for a playoff spot. As for the division crown? Don’t expect them to make a run at Vegas, Edmotnon or Los Angeles.
THREAT LEVEL: Moderate.