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 franchise became the NHL’s 32nd team when it paid the final installment of its $650 million expansion fee on April 30, 2021. The Kraken began play during the 2021-22 NHL season and play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena. The team is owned by Seattle Hockey Partners, an ownership group led by Jerry Bruckheimer, Tod Leiweke, and Samantha Holloway, along with notable partners including Andy Jassy, Marshawn Lynch, and Macklemore. The Kraken made NHL history in 2023 when they became the first expansion team to win a playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Professional ice hockey in Seattle dates back to the Seattle Metropolitans of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, founded in 1915. The Metropolitans made history by becoming the first United States-based team to win the Stanley Cup in 1917. Following the team’s folding in 1924, the Seattle Totems carried the city’s hockey tradition in the Western Hockey League until 1975. A 2013 study by statistician Nate Silver identified Seattle as the U.S. media market with the largest number of avid hockey fans without an NHL team.
The modern path to expansion began in December 2017 when the Seattle City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with Oak View Group for renovations to KeyArena. The NHL Board of Governors agreed to consider an expansion application and set the expansion fee at $650 million. Exactly one year later, the Board of Governors voted unanimously to approve the Seattle expansion team. In mid-2019, the organization hired Ron Francis as general manager to initiate operations, with Francis prioritizing speed, character, and competitiveness in building the roster.
Growth Into NHL Competition
The franchise announced its team name, colors, and branding in July 2020, choosing “Kraken” to honor Seattle’s maritime culture and the Pacific Northwest’s Scandinavian heritage connected to the mythology’s Nordic origins. The team colors—deep sea blue, ice blue, boundless blue, shadow blue, and red alert—reflect the ocean-themed identity. In July 2021, the organization hired Dave Hakstol as its inaugural head coach and signed its first players including Alexander Wennberg, Jaden Schwartz, and goaltender Philipp Grubauer.
The expansion draft was held at Gas Works Park in front of more than 4,000 spectators. Using a format similar to the 2017 Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft, the Kraken selected players from other NHL teams. Two days later, the franchise used the second-overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft to select Matty Beniers, a center from the University of Michigan who had scored 24 points in 24 games during his sophomore season. On October 11, 2021, the team named Mark Giordano as its inaugural captain with four alternate captains supporting him.
Seattle Kraken Competitive Journey
The Seattle Kraken have experienced significant fluctuation in their competitive results across their first five NHL seasons. From a struggling inaugural campaign to a historic playoff run in their second year and back to rebuilding phases, the franchise has demonstrated both promise and volatility as it establishes its presence in the NHL.
Early Seasons and Development (2021-2023)
The Kraken played their first regular season game on October 12, 2021, losing 4-3 to the Vegas Golden Knights with Ryan Donato scoring the first goal in franchise history. The team earned its first victory two days later, defeating the Nashville Predators 4-3. Their first home game at Climate Pledge Arena came on October 23, a 4-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, with Vince Dunn scoring the first goal at the newly renovated arena. Prior to that game, the team retired jersey number 32 in recognition of being the NHL’s 32nd franchise and the 32,000 fans who placed season ticket deposits.
On February 2, 2022, Philipp Grubauer recorded the franchise’s first shutout with 19 saves in a 3-0 victory against the New York Islanders. The team finished its inaugural season with a 27-49-6 record, placing last in the Pacific Division. Following the trade of captain Mark Giordano to the Toronto Maple Leafs in March, the team missed the playoffs. However, the second season brought dramatic improvement. The Kraken went on an eight-game winning streak in January 2023, becoming the first team to win all seven games of a seven-game road trip.
Breakthrough in NHL (2023)
The 2022-23 season marked the Kraken’s breakthrough year. The team finished with a 46-28-8 record and 100 points, placing fourth in the Pacific Division and earning the first wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference. During the playoffs, the Kraken faced the Colorado Avalanche, the defending Stanley Cup champions, in the first round. In a dramatic seven-game series, Seattle upset the Avalanche, becoming the first expansion team in NHL history to win its first playoff series against the reigning champions. The playoff run ended in the second round when the Dallas Stars eliminated the Kraken in seven games.
At the NHL Awards ceremony following the season, Matty Beniers was named the Calder Memorial Trophy winner as the league’s rookie of the year after leading all rookies with 57 points and tying for the rookie goal-scoring lead with 24 goals.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2023-Present)
The Kraken’s third season saw offensive struggles, ranking 29th in the league with only 217 goals scored and finishing with 81 points. Despite these challenges, goaltender Joey Daccord backstopped the team through a franchise-record nine-game winning streak, including a shutout in the 2024 NHL Winter Classic against the Vegas Golden Knights—the first shutout in Winter Classic history. Following the season, head coach Dave Hakstol was fired and replaced by Dan Bylsma.
Historic coaching hirings marked 2024. In July, Jessica Campbell became the NHL’s first female assistant coach when she joined the staff. In September, Justin Rogers was promoted to head trainer, becoming the first openly gay man to hold that position in NHL history. In October, the Kraken named Jordan Eberle as the second captain in franchise history. The 2024-25 season resulted in another missed playoff appearance with a 35-41-6 record, leading to Bylsma’s dismissal after one season.
Significant organizational changes followed. Ron Francis was promoted to president of hockey operations while Jason Botterill was hired as general manager. Lane Lambert became the team’s third head coach in May 2025. During the 2025-26 season, the Kraken continued rebuilding with a 34-37-11 record, placing sixth in the Pacific Division. The organization also expanded its community presence, with a new two-rink facility approved for Kirkland, Washington, expected to open in late 2027.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The Kraken emphasize speed, character, and competitiveness in roster construction, principles established by former general manager Ron Francis. The organization’s identity centers on team defense and goaltending excellence, with Joey Daccord emerging as a reliable starter. The franchise has invested heavily in player development through its minor league affiliates, particularly the American Hockey League’s Coachella Valley Firebirds, who reached the Calder Cup Finals in their first two seasons.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Several moments define the Kraken’s brief but eventful history: the historic playoff victory over the defending champion Avalanche in 2023; Matty Beniers winning the Calder Trophy; the NHL’s first shutout in Winter Classic history achieved by Daccord; and landmark hirings including the NHL’s first female assistant coach and first openly gay head trainer. The franchise’s cultural connection to Seattle is reinforced through unique traditions including the MV Hyak ferry horn goal celebration and Nirvana’s “Lithium” played after every home goal.
Seattle Kraken Achievements and Results
Despite being one of the NHL’s newest franchises, the Seattle Kraken have accumulated notable accomplishments across their first five seasons, with their most significant achievement being their historic 2023 playoff run.
NHL Achievements
The Kraken’s most significant NHL achievement came in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs when they defeated the Colorado Avalanche in seven games in the first round, becoming the first expansion team in league history to win their opening playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup champions. The team earned its first playoff berth with 100 points in the 2022-23 season and secured the first wild card spot in the Western Conference. Matty Beniers was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Year with 57 points, leading all first-year players.
Conference Achievements
As a Western Conference team, the Kraken’s most notable conference achievement remains their 2023 playoff run when they advanced to the second round before losing to the Dallas Stars in seven games. The team finished fourth in the Pacific Division that season, earning the conference’s first wild card berth.
Divisional Achievements
The Kraken’s second-place Pacific Division finish in the 2022-23 season with 100 points represents their strongest divisional performance. The team has not won a Pacific Division championship through the 2025-26 season.
Minor League and Development Achievements
The Kraken’s primary American Hockey League affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, reached the Calder Cup Finals in both their inaugural 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. This development success demonstrates the franchise’s ability to build competitive minor league depth while preparing players for NHL competition. The Firebirds’ achievements represent a strong foundation for the Kraken’s player development pipeline.