With the new hockey season looming, I decided to take the time to analyze the Seattle Kraken to see how well they may play in their inaugural season. My favorite hockey team is still the St. Louis Blues, as I was born and grew up in St. Louis, but I am also interested in following the Kraken to see how well they will fare, and to gauge how problematic traffic could be in the city I am living in right now. I also went to Cap Friendly, Hockeydb.com, and Hockey-Reference for research purposes in trying to decide who would likely make the Seattle Kraken's team this year.
Here is a look at the players that will most likely be on their team this season.
(Photo: Amanda Snyder/The Seattle Times)
The Seattle Kraken's Forwards (14):
LW Jaden Schwartz
2021 (STL): 40 GP, 8 G, 13 A, 21 PTS, +2, 20 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 50.1%
Schwartz is a really solid, high-effort top 6 forward. He’s great at digging pucks out of corners, and he’s a good skater with some skills. He’s best suited to complementing a high-end scorer. His goal production on a year-to-year basis tends to run hot and cold and he also is a bit injury prone, but he had a big playoffs in 2019 to help the St. Louis Blues win the Stanley Cup. He’s a valuable player for any team.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 3 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Top 6 Forward
C Jared McCann
2021 (PIT): 43 GP, 14 G, 18 A, 32 PTS, +17, 8 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 53.6%
McCann is a skilled forward that has solid offensive skills, and he is a two-way player that can control the puck and defend on the ice. While he may not be a superstar, he’s a solid all-around player that is good to have on any team.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 3 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Top 6 Forward
RW Jordan Eberle
2021 (EDM): 16 G, 17 A, 33 PTS, +9, 16 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 56.5%
Eberle is a very skilled forward that can put the puck in the net, and he is a solid all-around forward that tends to make solid plays on both ends of the ice. He is a valuable player for a team to have on their roster, and he projects to be a top two-line forward on the Kraken this year.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 3 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Top 6 Forward
C Yanni Gourde
2021 (TBL): 56 GP, 17 G, 19 A, 36 PTS, +10, 44 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 55.6%
Gourde is a solid center that was on a really good Lightning team last year, and he helped them win the Stanley Cup for the past two seasons. His production can run hot and cold, and he’s a bit on the small side, so durability could potentially be an issue. He’s currently injured and so he may miss the start of the season, but he is a solid playmaking center that does almost everything well when he is on the ice.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 3 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Top 6 Forward
RW Joonas Donskoi
2021 (COL): 51 GP, 17 G, 14 A, 31 PTS, +14, 10 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 55.6%
He is a speedy forward that can score and possess the puck. He’s a solid mid-tier forward that plays well on both ends of the ice. Throughout his career, he’s been a solid, middle six forward.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 3 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Top 6 Forward
RW/C Calle Jarnkrok
2021 (NSH): 49 GP, 13 G, 15 A, 28 PTS, +13, 14 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 47.3%
He is a speedy forward that is a solid two-way forward. He’s a solid puck possession forward that also plays well on both ends of the ice. He’s not going to make All-Star teams, but he is a good player for a team to have on their roster.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2.5 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Top 9 Forward, or Middle 6 Forward
C Alexander Wennberg
2021 (FLA): 56 GP, 17 G, 12 A, 29 PTS, +6, 8 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 52.5%
Wennberg is a skilled center that can put the puck in the net, and he is coming off of a good season. He plays fairly well on both ends of the floor, and he is a solid middle six forward that can be a solid contributor for the Kraken this year.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2.5 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Top 9 Forward, or Middle 6 Forward
LW Brandon Tanev
2021 (PIT): 32 GP, 7 G, 9 A, 16 PTS, +12, 22 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 48.9%
He is a mid-tier forward that can provide some scoring and energy to the Kraken. He’s not a superstar by any means, but he could be a solid role player for the Kraken to have.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2.5 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Top 9 Forward, or Middle 6 Forward
RW Mason Appleton
2021 (WPG): 56 GP, 12 G, 13 A, 25 PTS, +11, 14 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 47.1%
Appleton is coming off a strong season with the Winnipeg Jets, and he is a tall, skilled forward that can provide some offense to help his team in games. He has improved his ability to put the puck in the net and his defense, and he could be a solid mid-tier forward for the Kraken.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2 stars (2.5 stars potential)
Projected 2022 Role: 3rd or 4th Line Forward
C Morgan Geekie
2021 (CAR): 36 GP, 3 G, 6 A, 9 PTS, +1, 10 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 53.4%
He is a young forward that has shown some scoring and puck movement skills in his limited time up in the NHL. Geekie has also been impressive in the preseason, and he has very good odds to make the Kraken's roster, even though they are stacked with forwards keeping to both make the team and for playing time. He is a player that may have considerable upside, and he could be a sleeper candidate to succeed with the Kraken this year.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2 stars (2.5 stars potential)
Projected 2022 Role: 3rd or 4th Line Forward
RW/C Colin Blackwell
2021 (NYR): 47 GP, 12 G, 10 A, 22 PTS, +2, 15 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 44.1%
He is coming off of a solid season with the Rangers, and he is an undersized forward that can provide some scoring and defensive skills for his team. While he may not be an elite player, he could be a solid role player for the Kraken this year.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2 stars
Projected 2022 Role: 3rd or 4th Line Forward
W/C Marcus Johansson
2021 (MIN): 36 GP, 6 G, 8 A, 14 PTS, -10, 4 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 45.7%
He is a big, power forward that passes the puck fairly well, but he can tend to be inconsistent over the years. He had a fairly good 2020 season and has been in leadership roles, but he struggled last season, he's heading into his 30s, and could potentially enter the decline stage.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2 stars
Projected 2022 Role: 3rd or 4th Line Forward
LW Ryan Donato
2021 (SJS): 50 GP, 6 G, 14 A, 20 PTS, -10, 10 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 47.6%
He is a mid-tier forward that can provide some offense for a hockey team on the back lines. He also can possess the puck, but he doesn’t do any one thing extremely well on the ice.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2 stars
Projected 2022 Role: 3rd or 4th Line Forward
C Riley Sheahan
2021 (BUF): 53 GP, 4 G, 9 A, 13 PTS, -8, 8 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 44.6%
He’s a quick, backline forward that has played a long time in the NHL. He’s been on the decline, but he’s capable of provide some offense to help his team.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 1.5 stars
Projected 2022 Role: 4th Line Forward
(Photo: Alika Jenner/Getty Images, via Fansided's Kraken Chronicle)
Seattle Kraken's Defensemen (7):
D Mark Giordano
2021 (CGY): 56 GP, 9 G, 17 A, 26 PTS, +5, 14 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 53.8%
He is a smart, skilled defenseman that has solid all-around skills. He is a team leader that makes sound decisions on the ice, and he also is a good puck moving defenseman. He is one of the oldest players on the team, as he’ll be 38 years old on Opening Day, but Giordano is a very good all-around player that will likely be the Kraken’s best defenseman this year.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 4 stars
Projected 2022 Role: 1st Pairing Defenseman
D Vince Dunn
2021 (STL): 43 GP, 6 G, 14 A, 20 PTS, -8, 18 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 50.9%
He’s a rising, young defenseman that has a lot of skills. He’s more of an offensive-minded puck mover. He could be a good asset on a power play. He’s been a little sheltered in his usage, because he spends a lot of time in the offensive zone, and he was rarely used on tough, defensive situations. The challenge for him is going to be on the defensive side, because it’s uncertain if he can handle matchups against elite players at this stage.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2.5 stars (3 stars potential)
Projected 2022 Role: Top 4 Defenseman
D Carson Soucy
2021 (MIN): 50 GP, 1 G, 16 A, 17 PTS, +22, 51 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 42.2%
He is a very tall, defensive defenseman that has some passing skills. He’s not really a goal scorer or puck mover, but his size and defensive skills could allow him to be a reliable role player on the Kraken.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Top 6 Defenseman
D Jamie Oleksiak
2021 (DAL): 56 GP, 6 G, 8 A, 14 PTS, -3, 35 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 52.6%
He is a very tall, physically imposing defensive defenseman that will provide toughness and defense to the Kraken’s team. He will lay out hard hits, and he is a checking defenseman that also can move the puck. He’s not an elite offensive player, but he had a very good 2020 playoffs, and he can be a reliable role player for the Kraken.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Top 6 Defenseman
D Adam Larsson
2021 (EDM): 56 GP, 4 G, 6 A, 10 PTS, +2, 24 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 45.9%
Larsson is a right-shot defenseman that can play solid defense on the ice. He’s not an elite offensive player, but he can pass the puck to get assists on occasion. While they may have overpaid him, but as one of the very few right-shot defensemen on this team, he could be a reliable back pairing defenseman for the Kraken.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Top 6 Defenseman
D Jeremy Lauzon
2021 (BOS): 41 GP, 1 G, 7 A, 8 PTS, +8, 40 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 51.4%
Lauzon is a young, defensive defenseman that can control the puck. He won’t score a lot of points, but he is a fairly solid team player that can be a reliable back pairing defenseman for the Kraken.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Top 6 Defenseman
D Haydn Fleury
2021 (CAR/ANA): 47 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 4 PTS, -12, 8 PIM, Even Strength Corsi: 51.1%
He is a young, defenseman that was once drafted very high by current GM Ron Francis in Carolina, so Fleury may be a favorite of his on the team. He can carry the puck, and is a good puck mover, but he has been quite underwhelming in the NHL. He hasn’t racked up many points or defended well, but the Kraken are hoping that they can maximize the most out of him for both this season and in the future.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 1.5 stars (2 stars potential)
Projected 2022 Role: 3rd Pairing Defenseman in the NHL, or 1st Pairing in the AHL
The Seattle Kraken's Goalies (2):
G Philipp Grubauer
2021 (COL): 30-9-1, 1.95 GAA, 92.2 SV%
Grubauer was a long-time backup goalie of the Washington Capitals, but he has recently played very well for the Colorado Avalanche for the past three seasons. He was a Vezina trophy finalist last season. He’s a solid goaltender that projects to have a very good season this year with the Kraken.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 3.5 stars
Projected 2022 Role: 1st string goalie
G Chris Driedger
2021 (FLA): 23 GP, 14-6-3, 2.06 GAA, 92.7 SV%
Driedger has really excelled in a backup role for the Florida Panthers. When he was selected in the expansion draft, it was thought that he would be elevated to a starting net-minder role with the Kraken, until they proceeded to sign Grubauer in the offseason. Still, Driedger will team up with Grubauer to give the Kraken a formidable goaltending force in the net.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 3 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Backup goalie
The Seattle Kraken's Head Coach:
Dave Hakstol
2021 (TOR): N/A (was an assistant coach)
NHL Head Coaching Career: 134-101-42, 4-8 in his playoff career
He was a successful college coach before he was hired by Philadelphia. With the Flyers, they were a fringe playoff team for three seasons, before he was fired midway through his fourth season. In the years where the Flyers made the playoffs, he hasn’t made it out of the first round.
It appears that he may be more of a developmental coach than a tactician, so he might be more beneficial to helping the younger players develop on the Kraken.
Expected 2022 NHL Rating: 2 stars
Projected 2022 Role: Head coach of the Seattle Kraken
The 2021-22 Seattle Kraken’s Projected Lines:
Forwards:
1st Line:
Jaden Schwartz (LW) – Jared McCann (C) – Jordan Eberle (RW)
2nd Line:
Brandon Tanev (LW) – Yanni Gourde (C) – Joonas Donskoi (RW)
3rd Line:
Marcus Johansson (LW) - Alexander Wennberg (C) – Calle Jarnkrok (RW)
4th Line:
Ryan Donato (LW) – Morgan Geekie (C) – Mason Appleton (RW)
Defensemen:
1st Pairing:
Vince Dunn (LD), Mark Giordano (RD)
2nd Pairing:
Jamie Oleksiak (LD), Adam Larsson (RD)
3rd Pairing:
Jeremy Lauzon (LD), Carson Soucy (RD)
Goalies:
1. Philipp Grubauer
2. Chris Driedger
Healthy Scratches:
F Colin Blackwell
C Riley Sheahan
D Haydn Fleury
The Seattle Kraken’s 2022 Forecast and Grades:
Forwards: B-
Defensemen: C+
Goalies: A-
Head Coach: C
Overall: B-
The Seattle Kraken’s 2022 Season Projection:
Ceiling (Peak Projection): 2nd Round Playoff Exit
Floor (Lowest Level Outcome): Miss the Playoffs
Most Likely Season Outcome: Barely miss the playoffs
Overall, the Seattle Kraken will be a competitive team in the NHL this year, and they have the talent to compete for a playoff spot this season. They have a solid group of forwards, but they don’t really have an elite forward at the top.
They have a decent group of defensemen, and they are led by superstar defenseman Mark Giordano, but they don’t have much depth amongst their defensemen, and they have too many left-handed defensemen, and not enough right-handed defensemen, so they struggle to get the puck out of their own zones this season. The Kraken have a formidable group of goalies, and they did a good job of stocking up on goalies by acquiring Philipp Grubauer and Chris Driedger in the offseason.
The Seattle Kraken are in the Western Conference, and they will play in the Pacific Division. Vegas Insider is not terribly confident in their Stanley Cup odds, as they place the Kraken at 50-1 odds to win it all. However, 2nd place in their division could go to the Edmonton Oilers, and the third spot is up for grabs. The Kraken may have a decent chance to sneak into the 2022 NHL playoffs, especially if they can beat up on teams in their own division.
It will be interesting to see how the Kraken will fare in their inaugural season. Next up, I will preview my favorite hockey team, the St. Louis Blues, and see how they may likely fare for the upcoming 2021-22 NHL season. Thanks for reading.
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