How Will the Seattle Kraken do in their Inaugural Season?

The Seattle Kraken are preparing for their inaugural season, becoming the 32nd NHL franchise. The Kraken started their team from scratch, from the expansion draft, through the entry draft and free agency. Finally, they have made it to training camp, a few days away from their first preseason game, and less than three weeks away from their first regular-season game. How will the Seattle Kraken do in their inaugural season?

Projected lineup

Jaden Schwartz-Alexander Wennberg-Jordan Eberle

Calle Jarnkrok-Jared McCann-Joonas Donskoi

Brandon Tanev-Marcus Johansson-Mason Appleton

Ryan Donato-Colin Blackwell-Nathan Bastian

Mark Giordano-Adam Larsson

Jamie Oleksiak-Vince Dunn

Carson Soucy-Haydn Fleury

Phillipp Grubauer

Chris Driedger

Scratches: Morgan Geekie, Riley Sheahan, Jeremy Lauzon

Injury Reserve: Yanni Gourde

The Seattle Kraken have a very solid lineup to start out the year, with depth all throughout the lineup. Some unfortunate news for the Kraken is that their projected top center Yanni Gourde is out for the first two months of the season with a shoulder injury. Even without the Gourde injury, the Kraken forward core still looks lackluster with no true no. 1 center and no true superstar. The Kraken have a strong group of wingers including Jaden Schwartz, Jordan Eberle, Joonas Donskoi and have sufficient depth in their forward group, but the absence of a superstar forward will hold them back. The Seattle Kraken defense looks very solid with a strong and well-balanced core. They are led by veteran Mark Giordano, surrounded by two young offensive defensemen with potential in Vince Dunn and Hayden Fleury, and three experienced defensive defensemen in Jamie Oleksiak, Adam Larsson, and Carson Soucy. Finally, the strongest part of their team is in net with an excellent tandem of Phillipp Grubauer and Chris Driedger.

Standings Predictions

Pacific Division

1. Vegas Golden Knights
2. Edmonton Oilers
3. Vancouver Canucks
4. Calgary Flames
5. Los Angeles Kings

6. Seattle Kraken

7. San Jose Sharks
8. Anaheim Ducks

Point Predictions (Top 10)

Jaden Schwartz: 23 goals, 34 assists, 57 points

Jordan Eberle: 25 goals, 28 assists, 53 points

Jared McCann: 19 goals, 29 assists, 48 points

Alexander Wennberg: 14 goals, 32 assists, 46 points

Yanni Gourde: 19 goals, 23 assists, 42 points

Joonas Donskoi: 18 goals, 19 assists, 37 points

Calle Jarnkrok: 15 goals, 19 assists, 34 points

Vince Dunn: 8 goals, 24 assists, 32 points

Mark Giordano: 9 goals, 19 assists, 28 points

Mason Appleton: 12 goals, 14 assists, 26 points

Phillipp Grubauer: 25-27-6, 2.45 GAA, 9.10 SV%

Chris Driedger: 9-12-3, 2.61 GAA, 9.04 SV%

Although the Pacific Division looks relatively easy compared to the other divisions, the Seattle Kraken will struggle due to their lack of star power. As the point predictions show, the Kraken will score more as a committee, which could end up hurting their scoring. Ultimately, it does not seem like the Seattle Kraken won’t have an unexpected run like the Vegas Golden Knights did in 2017, however, they will be an interesting team to watch.