NHL Season Opens with Blues vs. Kraken Clash at Climate Pledge Arena

The St. Louis Blues and Seattle Kraken are set to face off in their season opener for the 2024-2025 NHL season at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. The game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, with local coverage available on 101 ESPN for radio listeners.

The Blues enter the season under the leadership of head coach Drew Bannister, who assumed full responsibilities after having his “interim” tag removed over the summer. Bannister led the Blues to a respectable 30-19-5 record last season. This season, the Blues see a mix of returning stars including Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Pavel Buchnevich, and captain Brayden Schenn, alongside newcomers Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg, Raden Faksa, Alexandre Texier, and Mathieu Joseph.

General Manager Doug Armstrong spearheaded significant roster changes with a view to returning to playoff contention, signing free agent defensemen Ryan Suter and Pierre-Olivier Joseph. The team notably aims to make an impact in the Central Division after missing the playoffs for the past two consecutive seasons.

While the Blues have strengthened their lineup, they will begin their season without Oskar Sundqvist and Torey Krug due to injuries. In Krug’s case, he is sidelined for the entire season following ankle surgery. Goalie Jordan Binnington is close to making Blues history, needing just six more wins to surpass Mike Liut’s franchise record of 151 career wins.

On the opposing bench, the Seattle Kraken are navigating their own changes. Former NHL Stanley Cup-winning coach Dan Bylsma takes the reins after Dave Hakstol’s departure. Bylsma had coached the Kraken’s AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley prior to his NHL return.

The Kraken, seeking improvement after failing to make the playoffs last season, have bolstered their squad by signing standout free agents Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour, fresh from a championship win with Florida. Forward stars Jaden Schwartz and Vince Dunn from the past season are expected to support Seattle’s playoff ambitions alongside acquisitions.

Seattle’s partnership with local broadcasters KING 5 and KONG marks a new era of Kraken hockey availability, ensuring 72 of the team’s 82 games can be viewed for free over-the-air, with the remaining covered by national broadcasts.