Seattle Kraken Miss Playoffs Again: A Young Future Awaits

SEATTLE, Wash. — The Seattle Kraken have been eliminated from playoff contention for the second straight season, finishing with a record of 31-37-6. Their fate was sealed following the St. Louis Blues’ 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

Since their inaugural season in 2021-22, the Kraken have missed the playoffs in three out of four seasons. The team reached the postseason in their second year, where they upset the defending champions Colorado Avalanche in the first round but faltered against the Dallas Stars in a hard-fought seven-game series.

Despite hopes of building on their previous success, the Kraken regressed this season, finishing seventh in the Pacific Division, down from a tie for fifth last season. Defensive struggles have been a primary issue; the Kraken conceded 242 goals this season, ranking third worst in the Western Conference.

Only the Chicago Blackhawks (264 goals) and the San Jose Sharks (270 goals) allowed more goals. Seattle’s goal differential stood at minus-19, and they were allowing an average of 3.23 goals per game. Goalie Philipp Grubauer posted a disappointing 3.59 goals-against average and was subsequently placed on waivers after a 7-16-1 record in 24 starts.

The Kraken have also faced significant injuries this season, with 105 man-games lost. Captain Jordan Eberle was sidelined for 40 games due to a pelvic injury sustained in November. Additionally, center Alexander Wennberg missed 26 games due to various injuries, including surgery for a sports hernia.

“We missed Eberle’s offensive production, and it’s hard to replace that,” said Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol. “Injuries have been tough, but we need to find ways to fight through it.”

Adding to their challenges, Seattle’s special teams have underperformed significantly. The power play converted just 19.2 percent of the time, placing them 23rd in the league. Meanwhile, their penalty kill ranked 22nd, successfully stopping only 76.5 percent of opposing power plays.

Despite these hardships, the Kraken possess a promising young core that offers hope for the future. Matty Beniers, the 2023 Calder Trophy winner, continues to develop, surrounded by talent including forwards Shane Wright and Ty Cartier, along with a strong defensive group led by 23-year-old Vince Dunn.

“The young guys have shown great potential,” remarked Hakstol. “If we can build around them, I believe we can turn this around.”

In goal, Filip Daccord has emerged as a reliable starter, seizing the opportunity from Grubauer. Daccord recorded a 24-20-5 record with a 2.72 goals-against average across 51 games.

Looking ahead, the team has the 2025 NHL Draft to strengthen their roster, with seven picks available. This could be a pivotal time for the Kraken as they endeavor to make a marked improvement next season.

As the 2024-25 season comes to a close, Seattle fans are left with a mixture of disappointment and anticipation for what lies ahead. The emphasis now shifts toward nurturing their developing talent and addressing key weaknesses in the lineup.