Record - 27-49-6 (60 points), 8th in the Pacific Division
Goals For: 216 (29th in the NHL), Goals Against: 285 (24th in the NHL)
Leading Goal Scorer - Jared McCann (27)
Leading Point Scorer - Jared McCann (50)
Coming out of the expansion draft and heading into the 2022 season, expectations weren't too high for the Seattle Kraken. They did what most expansion teams do. They drafted for the future rather than try to immediately contend for a championship the way the Golden Knights did. I think it was pretty clear to those in the organization that they weren't going to have much success in their first season. And they didn't. The Kraken finished last in their division and really struggled putting the puck in the net with just 7 players scoring 10 or more goals. It was a unique situation for everyone in that locker room. Every single player was on a different team the year prior, in a different city, playing a different role. They all had to adjust collectively as a group as well as individuals to the new situation they were in. Now they have that first season under their belts and are ready for what's to come in 2023.
I'm very excited to see what this season has in store for these Kraken. We'll get to see Matty Beniers, the 2021 2nd overall pick from the University of Michigan, play for a full 82 game season. He was terrific in the 10 games he appeared in last year, notching 3 goals and 9 points in that span. He's one of my favorites to take home the Calder Trophy as the league's Rookie of the Year. We'll see if he's ready to answer the call this time around as he let Kraken GM Ron Francis go to voicemail when they tried calling him to let him know he was being drafted.
The Kraken got the steal in this past entry draft, getting Shane Wright with the 4th overall pick. I really don't know how Wright fell to four, but he was there for the taking for Seattle. This kid is an unreal talent and is ready to make an immediate impact at the pro level. Falling to the 4th pick after being favored to be selected 1st is just an adding another piece of motivation to a guy who is already looking to show why he's the best player in this draft class. There's no reason why Wright's name shouldn't also be in the Calder conversation with Beniers' if he does in fact play this year. He's that good, and the idea of having him and Beniers as a 1-2 punch at center for the next decade is creating a lot of hype for the NHL's newest franchise.
Outside of the draft, Ron Francis made several moves in free agency that can help the team improve immensely. The biggest one being locking in former Colorado Avalanche LW Andre Burakovsky to a 5 year contract. At just 27 years old, he's already a two-time Stanley Cup Champion, and he's coming off his best season yet. Playing just 16 minutes per game, and barely seeing any time on the powerplay, he had career highs in goals (22), assists (39), and points (61). Give this guy top line minutes at both even strength as well as on the man advantage and we may see him have an even more productive season.
The Kraken weren't done there as they signed another winger that will help fill in some scoring gaps in former Columbus Blue Jackets RW Oliver Bjorkstrand. Like Burakovsky, he's also coming off a year where had career highs in goals (28) points (57). He was one of the few bright spots on a Blue Jackets team that, like Seattle, struggled to score on the man advantage. It'll be interesting to see how Head Coach Dave Hakstol breaks out his line combinations with the additions of these wingers as well as the rookies.
While scoring was a major issue that the Kraken's front office needed to address, giving up goals was also an issue for them. On the defensive side, they brought in Justin Schultz and Michal Kempny to help strengthen their depth on the backend. Schultz, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with Pittsburgh, and Kempny, a one-time champ with the Capitals, weren't signed because of their ability to get on the scoresheet. Ron Francis went after these two because of they're each solid stay-at-home defensemen who will bring a needed veteran presence to the locker room.
There are still plenty of question marks with this Kraken squad. Enough that will keep them out of the playoff hunt come next spring. For me, it's their goaltending situation. I've never been truly sold on Philipp Grubauer. Even though he finished 3rd in Vezina voting in 2021, he had the best team in the NHL in front of him during a shortened season. I simply don't see him as a legitimate number 1 goalie. The Kraken struggled mightily last year, yes, but an .889 save percentage just isn't going to get it done in this league. On top of that the team will be without their backup goalie in Chris Driedger due to a torn ACL. They brought in veteran goalie Martin Jones to fill that spot, but he's nowhere near the goalie that he was when he was in San Jose.
Aside from goaltending, the other big question marks lie with their defense and special teams. Their powerplay should improve from last year, but who is quarterbacking it? I'm assuming it'll be Vince Dunn, but is he finally ready to break out offensively this year? Their penalty kill on the other hand was even worse than their powerplay ranking 29th in the league. Getting Branden Tanev back from injury is huge for them, but outside of him and Yanni Gourde they don't have any forwards that really stand out to me defensively. On top of that, there isn't anything special with their unit of defenseman despite bringing in Schultz and Kempny. They'll definitely score more goals this year, but they may also give up more as well.
I don't think playoffs are within reach for the Kraken this year. That doesn't mean they won't be better than last year. They'll be much more competitive and will definitely win more games. But I just don't see them making a jump to being a wild card team, let alone a top three team in the Pacific Division. They're still another year or two out from that happening, and that's okay. They have a bright future ahead of them, especially if their prospects turn out to be special players which looks to be the case. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what's to come for this Kraken team.
Tomorrow we cover the Philadelphia Flyers. I'll try to be as nice as I can be, but frankly, they aren't making it easy for me. Until then, enjoy your Monday, and pick up the phone if someone rings you. You never know if that call could change your life the way it changed Matty Beniers'.
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