Seattle Kraken Aim for Stronger Season Start with New Additions

The Seattle Kraken‘s winger Jared McCann has highlighted the increased urgency within the team’s finalized roster as they prepare to embark on their fourth NHL season. McCann, who has won the most Pete Muldoon Awards in team history as the MVP, aims to leverage his experience to change the early-season dynamics that troubled the team in previous years.

“We can’t chase the game anymore,” McCann stated as the team announced its 21-man roster for the upcoming game against the St. Louis Blues. “We need to come out playing great in order to win. We want to be consistent all year, and that’s our goal. It starts in practice, and we’re definitely going to be working on it a lot.”

New head coach Dan Bylsma is equipped with a roster filled with depth and balance, thanks to new signings including Chandler Stephenson from the Vegas Golden Knights and Brandon Montour from the Florida Panthers. These additions aim to strengthen the center position and provide better balance on the defense.

Bylsma expressed confidence in the team’s roster, stating, “I think it’s stacked full of really good players. We may not have the star end, but we have a ton of good players.” The revamped defensive corps features returning players Adam Larsson and Jamie Oleksiak, with Borgen and top prospect Ryker Evans enhancing the depth.

Vince Dunn‘s return from injury is expected to bolster the team’s offense, supplemented by Montour and Evans. Dunn emphasized the influence of new players, saying, “The guys we’ve brought into the dressing room have been really respected in this league the past number of years. So, they bring different experiences at a championship level as well.”

The Kraken plan to improve upon last season’s offensive struggles, potentially capitalizing on the depth across their forward lines. Returning duo Beniers and McCann, alongside Jordan Eberle, are set to continue their successful partnership.

Former 2022 first-round pick Shane Wright is entering his first full NHL season, having shown promising performance during the preseason. Wright joins a forward line with Eeli Tolvanen and Oliver Bjorkstrand, enhancing the team’s attacking options.

The roster’s construction reflects careful financial planning, with the team spending close to the NHL’s $88 million salary cap. This tight cap management means the Kraken will start the season with 21 players, maintaining flexibility for potential call-ups from their AHL affiliate.

Both McCann and Dunn emphasized the importance of team cohesion, a focus echoed by team activities at Suncadia resort aimed at solidifying group dynamics before the season kickoff. “By the time the season starts, we have to be functioning as one group,” McCann affirmed.

The Kraken will look to translate their pre-season preparations into a successful season start, aiming to set a new tone under Coach Bylsma’s guidance.