The Kraken, Seattle’s newest NHL team, have made it to the playoffs in their inaugural season. It’s an incredible accomplishment for a team that was only established in 2021. But how did they get here? Let’s take a look at the Kraken’s journey to the playoffs.
The first step in the Kraken’s journey was the expansion draft. The Kraken were able to select players from existing NHL teams to form their roster. This allowed them to build a competitive team from the start. They were able to select players with experience and skill, such as veteran forward J.T. Miller and goaltender Braden Holtby.
The next step was the NHL Draft. The Kraken had the 14th overall pick, which they used to select defenseman Simon Kubicek. He has been a key contributor for the team this season, providing stability on the blue line. The Kraken also selected forward Seth Jarvis with the 27th overall pick. He has been a sparkplug for the team, scoring 13 goals and adding 11 assists in his rookie season.
The Kraken also made some savvy moves in free agency. They signed veterans such as forward Anthony Cirelli and defenseman Nate Schmidt to bolster their lineup. They also acquired forward Jimmy Vesey in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres. Vesey has been a valuable addition to the team, scoring 12 goals and adding 10 assists this season.
The Kraken also hired a talented coaching staff led by head coach Ron Francis. Francis has brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team, and his guidance has been instrumental in their success this season. He has implemented a system that emphasizes defense and puck possession, allowing the Kraken to be successful even when they don’t score a lot of goals.
Finally, the Kraken have benefited from excellent goaltending this season. Goaltenders Holtby and Ilya Samsonov have combined for a .919 save percentage and 2.55 goals against average, both of which are among the best in the NHL.
The Kraken have taken an incredible journey to reach the playoffs in their inaugural season. They have built a competitive roster through the expansion draft and NHL draft, made savvy moves in free agency, hired an experienced coaching staff, and benefited from excellent goaltending. It’s an impressive accomplishment for a team that was only established this year, and it’s clear that the Kraken are here to stay.
