The Brief
• The Seattle Kraken hired new head coach Lane Lambert after a disappointing seventh-place Pacific Division finish last season
• The team still searches for a true superstar player four years into their NHL existence,
• Goaltender Joey Daccord enters training camp as the clear starter after outperforming Philipp Grubauer last season
SEATTLE, Wash. — The Seattle Kraken return to the ice with renewed hope but familiar questions as they enter their fourth NHL season, still searching for their first true superstar and consistent playoff success.
The Kraken have struggled to make a lasting impact in the league. Their surprise 2023 playoff run now appears to be an anomaly after last year’s seventh-place finish in the Pacific Division prompted the organization to part ways with head coach Dan Bylsma.
The team turned to new head coach Lane Lambert to reset the culture and provide the leadership needed for a breakthrough season. When Lambert was introduced as head coach in May, he reinforced a focus on team structure and detail.
“I’m involved. I think we want the players to bring energy, I think we coaches have to bring energy as well,” Lambert said.
To support Lambert’s vision, Seattle strategically brought in veterans Mason Marchment, Frederick Gaudreau, and Ryan Lindgren to address the team’s need for more offense, physicality, and defensive structure. The front office has overhauled the team by trading away several key players and signing new talent through free agency.
However, the fundamental question remains: who will emerge as the team’s difference maker?
For now, the emphasis centers on structure and defensive responsibility rather than individual star power.
“We’re going to be a really hard team to play against, really hard-working and detailed. He put a big emphasis on those things and being a good defensive team so we can get out of our own zone and go play offense,” said Matty Beniers, the team’s center.
One area where the Kraken have established clarity is in goal. Joey Daccord begins training camp as the undisputed number one goaltender after outplaying Philipp Grubauer throughout last season. The depth is present throughout the roster, but without star power, competing with powerhouse teams like Edmonton or Vegas may prove challenging.
Captain Jordan Eberle, who missed significant time last season due to injury, returns healthy and believes success will come from eliminating the significant breakdowns in offense, defense, and consistency that plagued the team.
“I just felt like there was a lot of night last season, we really competed. We played 55 really good minutes and there was two break downs that could easily be fixed, whether it was face off assignments, stick play, battles in front, details that might go un noticed to the average fan,” Eberle said.
The Pacific Division may not be the NHL’s strongest, but it remains unforgiving for teams that cannot maintain consistency. If the Kraken want to recapture their 2023 playoff magic, their young core must take a significant step forward quickly.
The franchise’s window for patience may be closing as fans and management expect tangible progress in year four. Lambert’s system-first approach represents a departure from previous coaching philosophies, but whether it can unlock the potential of players like Beniers and other young talents remains to be seen.
Seattle’s preseason continues tonight against the Edmonton Oilers, their third exhibition game with four remaining before opening the regular season against the Anaheim Ducks on October 9 at Climate Pledge Arena.
The Kraken faces a critical juncture where incremental improvement may no longer suffice. With new leadership behind the bench and veteran additions to the roster, this season will test whether Seattle can finally establish itself as a legitimate playoff contender or remain stuck in the middle of the Pacific Division pack. You can watch the Kraken all season long on Apple Valley News Now.
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