In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive deep into the least inspiring of the 32 NHL teams heading into the 2025–26 season: the Seattle Kraken.

After a quick taste of playoff success in their second year, the Kraken have slid into irrelevance—27th overall last season, a questionable coaching hire in Lane Lambert, and little improvement made during the offseason.

They’ve got some exciting prospects like Shane Wright and former Calder winner Matty Beniers, but the goaltending is shaky, the power play regressed, and the club is still searching for its identity in a league that has passed them by.

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Kraken preview: What’s not exciting about this roster

[00:38] Lane Lambert replaces Dan Bylsma—why?

[01:30] Vegas comparison and pressure from early success

[02:15] Offseason moves: Marchment, Lindgren, Gaudreau, Capo Kakko

[03:00] Notable re-signings: Caco, Cartier, Mahura

[03:45] Quiet exits: Burakovsky, Pezzetta, Eno fallout

[04:30] Matty Beniers: Calder winner or sophomore slump?

[05:30] Power play problems: Jessica Campbell’s unit slides to 23rd

[06:00] Key players who must improve: McCann, Beniers, Wright

[07:00] Goaltending woes: Grubauer, Daccord, and Matt Murray

[08:30] Shane Wright outlook: 60-point potential?

[09:00] Adam Larsson’s shocking +22: One bright spot on defense

[09:30] Why Seattle’s ceiling might be the middle of the pack (at best)

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Lane Lambert’s hiring feels uninspired, and it's unclear what he brings that will move the needle after Bylsma’s brief run.

Ron Francis stepped aside as GM—another odd move that raises more questions than answers.

Seattle’s goaltending is a liability. Grubauer is in serious decline, Daccord is serviceable, and Matt Murray is a gamble.

Scoring is shallow. No Kraken forward hit 30 goals last year. Jared McCann, Matty Beniers, and Shane Wright must elevate.

Shane Wright remains a wild card. If he breaks out this year, it could provide much-needed momentum.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

For a team entering its fifth season, Seattle feels directionless. The Kraken are clinging to past flashes of success while failing to deliver the growth fans expected. Without big years from their young stars and a serious turnaround in net, expect another year adrift—closer to the lottery than the playoffs.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

🎥 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

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🏒 HASHTAGS

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