Here’s the hockey viking’s season outlook for the Seattle Kraken, including a recap of last season, an outlook/summary for this season, player additions/subtractions, a roster chart, a depth chart, and season prediction
Seattle Kraken’s journey since they broke into the NHL scene has been quite a roller coaster. There’s excitement and suspense, and it’s hard to predict exactly where they’ll stand, but that’s the thrill of the game, isn’t it? For the 2025 season, keeping an eye on their historical performance is like tracing the DNA of what makes them unique in this league.
Recap of the 2024-25 Season
The Kraken entered their fourth NHL season with hope after a promising 2022-23 campaign but again fell short in 2024-25. They finished with a record of 35 wins, 41 losses, and 6 overtime/shootout losses, totaling 76 points and finishing 7th in the Pacific Division.
From the Hockey-Reference summary: goals for were 245 (16th of 32) and goals against 262 (24th of 32), giving a slightly negative overall rating – SRS of –0.23 — which signals a somewhat below-average team performance.
Some key issues stood out:
- The power play was under-whelming. They averaged ~0.52 power-play goals per game (2.76 opportunities/game) but converted at only ~18.9%, ranking near the bottom of the league.
- Back-to-back games were a major stumbling block: they lost every such “back half” of back-to‐back sets in 2024-25.
- At the March deadline and beyond, the club began to recognize they might have to lean more on youth and draft-capital rather than full go-for-it moves.
In short: the Kraken remain a franchise with promise, but they need more consistency, improved special-teams play, and a firmer roster identity to become a bona fide playoff contender.
Offseason / 2025 Additions & Subtractions
The offseason heading into 2025-26 (and the lead-up months) has been important for the Kraken’s trajectory. Some of the major moves and priorities:
Additions / Moves In
- On June 19, 2025, Seattle acquired forward Mason Marchment from the Dallas Stars (in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick and a 2026 third-rounder). Marchment is 30, has size, scoring ability, and recent playoff experience.
- Re-signing of restricted free agents and depth players is on the agenda: re‐signing defence-man Josh Mahura for two years (~$907,500 AAV) and forward Ben Meyers to a one-year minimum contract.
Subtractions / Departures / Trades
- At the trade deadline in 2025, Seattle dealt veterans such as Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand for draft picks and future flexibility.
- There is also talk of switching or upgrading the backup/goaltender position, given the struggles of Philipp Grubauer, including possible buyout scenarios.
Key Priorities for 2025
- Acquire a bona-fide top-nine winger (scoring boost).
- Stabilize the goaltending backup (or even challenge the starter).
- Retain and develop their emerging young core (Kartye, Evans, etc.).
2025-26 Season Outlook & Summary
Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Kraken find themselves at a crossroads: they are still building toward consistent playoff contention, rather than being full-blown contenders today. But the moves suggest an upward tilt.
Strengths
- Improved forward depth: With Marchment added and internal younger forwards (e.g., Matty Beniers, Kaapo Kakko) developing, the offence has a chance to take a step.
- Organizational flexibility: With draft picks and cap room, they can continue to address weak spots.
- Experience gain: The younger core now has more NHL seasoning; this should translate to more maturity in close games.
Weaknesses / Risks
- Special teams: The power play and penalty kill need real improvement if Seattle wants to win more close games.
- Goaltending / Defensive consistency: Goals-against remains high. Unless the backup or starter improves significantly, that will remain a drag.
- Schedule adversity: The Kraken historically struggle in back-to-back sets and travel-heavy stretches. The 2025-26 schedule again offers many such situations.
- Expectations management: The franchise is still young; sustained success may still require patience.
What to Watch
- Does Marchment become a 40-goal producer or near it in Seattle’s system?
- Does Kaapo Kakko take the next leap in his development?
- Will the backup goaltender (or starter) reduce high-danger chances and improve save percentage?
- Will the special-teams units (especially power play) climb into at least the middle of the league?
- How will the young defensive corps (e.g., Yakov Semyonov, if relevant) hold up against more elite competition?
Projected Roster Chart (key players)
Here’s a simplified look at the core roster of the Kraken heading into 2025-26.
C Matty Beniers Franchise centre, building toward full top-line status
C Chandler Stephenson, solid presence
C Shane Wright Gritty depth player
C Ben Meyers Depth centre, recently re-signed
RW Mason Marchment New addition, expected to bring scoring punch
RW Jordan Eberle, aging star
RW Eeli Tolvanen, experienced winger
LW Kaapo Kakko Young winger, recently re-signed, growth potential
LW Jaden Schwartz
LW Tye Kartye Emerging winger, late-blooming
D Ryan Lindgren
D Vince Dunn Top-pair defenceman, offensive upside
D Adam Larsson
D Joshua Mahura
D Jamie Oleksiak Kraken Veteran
D Brandon Montour solid all around defender
G Joey Daccord Starter
G Philipp Grubauer Backup
Depth Chart & Lines (Offensive & Defensive)
Forwards
- 1st Line: Beniers (C) – Matty BeniersRW Jordan Eberle Kakko (LW)
- 2nd Line: (C) Chandler Stephenson– (RW) Eeli Tolvanen– (LW) Jaden Schwartz
- 3rd Line: Meyers (C) Shane Wright– (RW) Mason Marchment– (LW) Tye Kartye
- 4th Line: Mix of depth forwards, penalty-kill specialists, etc.
Defense
- Top Pair: Vince Dunn – (Partner) Adam Larsson
- 2nd Pair: Brandon Montour/Ryan Lindgren
- 3rd Pair: Joshua Mahura/Jamie Oleksiak
Goaltending
- Starter: Joey Daccord
- Backup: Phillipp Grubauer
Season Prediction & Outlook
Given the roster makeup, offseason moves, and the general competitive environment of the Pacific Division, here is my prediction for the Kraken’s 2025-26 season:
- Record: Approximately 35-40-7 (77 pts)
- Division Finish: 7th in the Pacific
- Playoff Outcome: Miss playoffs
- Key Milestones: First round playoff appearance
- Risks: If the special-teams don’t improve and the defense/goaltending remains inconsistent, they could again miss the postseason, falling back to the 70-75 point range.
Why This Prediction?
- The offensive upgrades give the Kraken a credible chance to score more goals and win more one-goal games.
- The acquisition of draft capital and moves indicate the front office is committed to moving forward rather than rebuilding entirely.
- But: one elite move alone won’t vault them into the top tier yet. They need depth and defensive reliability.
- The Pacific Division remains tough; even a solid 89-point season might only squeak into a wildcard slot.
- If things go especially well (power play improves into top-10 league ranking, defence tightens), they could finish higher (3rd–4th) and contend deeper. Conversely, if key bounce games go against them, they risk falling into “also‐ran” territory again.
Difference Makers
Roster shake-ups are always a big part of the offseason, and the Kraken aren’t skipping this tradition. They’ve added some fresh faces and said goodbye to a couple of familiar ones. These changes could mix just right or take a bit to settle, but either way, they’re vital pieces to watch. How these new additions gel with the existing team could make or break their season.
Where will the Seattle Kraken land in the 2025 standings? Analysts have thrown in their two cents, but predicting spots in the unpredictable world of hockey often feels like peering into a crystal ball. There’s a consensus around a mid-tier standing if things go average, but shooting for the playoff stars isn’t off the table if luck swings their way.
The impact of a head coach can’t be overstated, and the Kraken’s bench boss holds a lot of sway in crafting team strategies. Leadership here is about more than just calling plays – it’s about motivating the team, handling pressure situations, and ensuring every player knows their role. The 2025 season will test his mettle, creativity, and ability to steer this ship in challenging waters.
Home and away games usually present a whole different ball game, or puck game in this case. Rival fans, unfamiliar arenas, and travel fatigue challenge the best of the best. But the Kraken has shown resilience before; thriving in hostile environments isn’t uncharted territory for them. Looking at the upcoming matchups, identifying which away games can potentially swing in their favor is a key to their success.
Strategic Pathways for a Winning Season
Crafting a winning strategy isn’t just about who has the most talent on paper; it’s about how well a team can exploit its strengths and cover its weaknesses. The Kraken have been fine-tuning their strategies to outsmart the competition, and this season, there’s a lot of buzz around their plans on both the offensive and defensive fronts.
Every game is a chess match, and for the Kraken, smart defensive tactics are crucial. Keeping the puck out of their net is step one, but it’s also about controlling the pace of the game and forcing opponents into uncomfortable positions. This isn’t just exciting for us fans; it’s strategic genius in action.
Offense-wise, dynamism and unpredictability are key. Crack defenders, shift lines, and capitalize on power plays – when the team does this effectively, it can tilt the game in their favor. Mixing up playstyles can catch opponents off guard, and that’s exactly what the Kraken will be looking to do.
Final Thoughts
The 2025-26 season is a pivotal one for the Kraken. They are no longer pure expansion project; they are in “make-the-next-step” mode. Success won’t come just from big names — it will come from improved depth, special-teams execution, and mental toughness in schedule stretches (especially back-to-backs).
Seattle has gone through many changes, and last year they went in the complete wrong direction. Can their new coach right the ship? It will be tough. The Kraken suffer from a lack of star power or big playmakers to compete with the Western elite. They are capable of winning games, but as the season marches on, will they be able to stay afloat in the crowded West?
Last season they also traded away most of their solid line depth, so they are putting their season in the hands of young, inexperienced players. This is a risky move, because if things don’t work out, there won’t be anybody on the team that can pull them into playoff contention.
If they hit key targets (power-play improvement, goaltending stabilization, scoring support beyond the first line), this could be the season they re-enter the playoff conversation. If not, they may be looking at another rebuilding year.
Be sure to check out the hockey viking’s season outlook for the rest of the NHL