Aside from everything going right in the 2022-23 season, the Kraken’s first five seasons in the NHL have been mediocre. They haven’t been good, but they also haven’t been bad enough to land a true superstar, something they are lacking.

Let’s take a look at how the Kraken’s season went, as well as what the Kraken have done this off-season and how the team looks heading into the 2025-26 season.

How the season went

This season, the Kraken finished with a 35-41-6 record, second-worst in the Pacific Division. On top of that, their 80 points put them 16 points back of the final wild card team. Unlike the Anaheim Ducks, they aren’t improving either, as they had a 34-35-13 record in 2023-24, with 81 points. They were 17 points back of the final wild card team.

Leading the team in goals was veteran Jaden Schwartz, while veteran Jared McCann led the team in points. Some youngsters took a step forward, as Shane Wright scored 19 goals and 44 points in 79 games, and Matty Beniers had an alright season, scoring 20 goals and 43 points.

Kaapo Kakko was a good addition in the middle of the season, as he scored 10 goals and 30 points in 49 games after the trade. He was selected second overall in the 2019 draft, but hasn’t quite lived up to the potential that comes with that pick, at least with the New York Rangers.

Eeli Tolvanen had a solid season, scoring 23 goals and 35 points, while their new additions of Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson were solid. Montour, a defenceman, finished with 18 goals for the season.

In net, Joey Daccord has emerged as one of the best netminders in the Pacific Division, posting a .906 save percentage and 2.73 goals against average in 57 games last season. Since Daccord became the full-time starter in 2023-24, he has a .910 save percentage and 2.61 goals against average.

Drafted players

Coming into this draft, the Kraken have had four drafts in franchise history, selecting a forward with each of their first-round picks. In 2021, they selected Beniers; in the next draft, they selected Wright. Eduard Šalé and Berkly Catton (2023 and 2024 first-rounders) haven’t made their debuts yet.

The Kraken stuck to what they’ve done throughout their franchise history, selecting forward Jake O’Brien eighth overall. They seemed to like their defence options in the draft, as they drafted Blake Fiddler in the second round, Will Reynolds in the third round, Maxim Agafonov in the fifth round, and Karl Annborn in the seventh round. Their last pick of the draft saw the Kraken draft forward Loke Krantz.

Trades

The Kraken have made two sizable trades since the off-season began. On June 19, they traded a 2025 fourth-rounder and a 2026 third-rounder to the Dallas Stars for Mason Marchment. Two days later, they traded André Burakovsky to the Chicago Blackhawks for Joe Veleno, buying out the centre.

Their other notable move saw them trade another 2025 fourth-rounder to the Minnesota Wild for Frédérick Gaudreau. These are solid veteran adds, as both Gaudreau and Marchment are capable of scoring 15 or more goals.

Free agent signings

The Kraken’s major free agent signing was bringing in left-shot defenceman Ryan Lindgren, signing him to a four-year deal worth $4.5 million. They also brought in two-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Murray on a one-year, $1 million deal.

As for their extensions, they signed defenceman Ryker Evans to a two-year deal worth $2.05 million annually, along with Kakko to a three-year deal worth $4.525 million annually. Cale Fleury signed a two-year deal worth $890,000 as well.

Moreover, they fired Dan Bylsma after just a season, replacing him with Lane Lambert.

Depatures

The Kraken’s only notable departure was Burakovsky. Last season, he scored 10 goals and 37 points in 79 games. His production will be replaced by Marchment and Gaudreau. Michael Eyssimont also departed the team, as he was a part of the Yanni Gourde trade before the 2025 trade deadline.

What the team looks like heading into 2025-26

So how can the Kraken get out of mediocrity? They need their young players to take a step forward. Their centre core is Beniers, Wright, Stephenson, and Gaudreau, which isn’t too bad. Their wings aren’t bad either, as Schwartz, McCann, Catton, and Nyman make up the left wing, while Kakko, Marchment, Jordan Eberle, and Tolvanen make up the right wing.

After drafting so many forwards in the first round of each draft, their defence core isn’t the strongest. Vince Dunn is a solid left-shot defenceman, followed by Lindgren, who’ll be used in a shutdown role, and Evans, who is their only real defender with potential. Adam Larsson, Montour, and Jamie Oleksiak will make up the right side.

Between the pipes, Daccord will be their full-time starter and will be backed up by Philipp Grubauer.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for FlamesNation, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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