Welcome to NHL Seattle - 7/22

In this article, I will list and give my predictions about the Seattle Kraken's new team and preview where they might finish in the Pacific Division.

(Image Credit: NHL.com)

The Kraken has a lot of younger players in their roster for this upcoming season, as well as a few seasoned veterans. The list of their roster is as follows:

Centers:

- Mason Appleton

- Colin Blackwell

- Morgan Geekie

- Yanni Gourde

- Calle Jarnkrok

- Jared McCann

- Tyler Pitlick

- John Quenneville

- Alexander True

Left Wings:

- Brandon Tanev

- Carsen Twaryski

Right Wings:

- Nathan Bastian

- Joonas Donskoi

- Jordan Eberle

- Kole Lind

Defense:

- Gavin Bayreuther

- William Borgen

- Dennis Cholowski

- Vince Dunn

- Cale Fleury

- Hayden Fleury

- Mark Giordano

- Adam Larsson

- Jeremy Lauzon

- Kurtis MacDermid

- Jamie Oleksiak

- Carson Soucy

Goaltenders:

- Joey Daccord

- Chris Driedger

- Vitek Vanecek

I think that the center depth of the Kraken is pretty good, as they drafted a lot of younger players that they can develop in the minors while using the veterans they selected to play until those guys develop a little more. Jared McCann, Yanni Gourde, Calle Jarnkrok, and Colin Blackwell are who I believe to be the best centers the team has to offer right now, and who I believe will fill their lineup come October. The team could go with any combination of wingers on the bottom three lines, as they're all fairly young and developing. I think, however, that Brandon Tanev and Jordan Eberle should be the first-line wingers without a doubt. In terms of defenseman, Mark Giordano and Jamie Oleksiak will most likely fill out the first defensive-pairing that hits the ice at Climate Pledge Arena in October. It's clear as well that Chris Driedger was drafted to be the starting goaltender with Vitec Vanecek slotting in as backup on the bench.

I think this team has the potential to make the playoffs their first season IF they go out and get a well-established first-line center and maybe another strong second-line winger to fill the $29 Million cap they have remaining. IF I were Seattle, I would take a strong swing at Gabe Landeskog, and see if it's a hit. He is a player that has made himself known around the NHL as hard to play against while also possessing some nasty hands in tight. He is a UFA as well, which means the Kraken wouldn't have to trade for him. It's a gamble to see if he lasts a few more years with a new team, but I think it's absolutely worth the shot to throw a number his way and see if he bites on it. On another note, I hate seeing a player get taken from my favorite team in a draft, and Brandon Tanev is no exception to that as he was a Penguin in every sense of the word. I will miss Tans in Pittsburgh, but the move made sense to free up space the Pens didn't have under the cap. He will fit in well in Seattle too, as I mentioned my prediction for his role in the previous paragraph.

The Kraken will open their season against the Vegas Golden Knights in October, and I know I am excited to see the two newest teams go head-to-head to start another season of hockey fun. The Kraken's new tank, Climate Pledge Arena, will open in October as well and is scheduled to be ready for their home-opener in late October. Buckle up hockey fans, the next few months will be FANTASTIC.