Kraken 2025-26 Offseason (different but the same??)

[Fistfullofbeer]

Our management doesn’t really have a plan. They ran the expansion draft like a team that was going to tank and build for the future, and then they spent a bunch of money like a team that was trying to win now, which they failed miserably at. Now they’re undergoing management changes and I’m still not sure if there’s any sense of a coherent plan. They neither seem willing to tank and build for the future, or to take smart aggressive approaches to try to build a contending team near term, and instead appear to be more like dogs chasing cars. I suspect the Kraken will be completely irrelevant for the next decade. What a joke of an organization. I waited 30 years for Seattle NHL team and so far it’s a pure dumpster fire.

Hindsight is 20/20 and all that. The plan was to build for the future. They made the playoffs and ownership appears to have changed their tune. The problem arose after that as the team was now caught between trying to be good without sacrificing any future assets and ended up with some really bad signings. Not excusing the GM (Francis) for this as he made the signings but it was never an area he has been comfortable with but ownership trying to fit a square peg in a round hole never works. Coaching has also been a noticeable issue since they have been focused on "second" chances. I am hoping we either have a fresh face in the NHL. If not, maybe someone who has had better experience coaching younger teams and teams will less talent.

I was not unhappy with the expansion draft. I was unhappy with a few FA signings. The drafting has been pretty damn good and we have not given up future assets, so nothing to complain about there. Most of our "bad" FA's minus Stephenson are off the book after the 2027-28 season as well.

Tanking was never an option for us. As much as we would have liked it.

I understand your negativity and the team has been terrible for the last 2 seasons but changes won't take that long. A better coach, 1 impactful player via UFA or trade and we are a bubble team this season. Catton and 1-2 other prospects making a impact next season will hopefully mean we are trending in the right direction.

 

[Interior Cascadian]

The plan was to build for the future. They made the playoffs and ownership appears to have changed their tune.

I generally agree with what you’re saying, but I think what often gets skipped over when we rip on management’s quick reversal are the rumors suggesting the Sonics’ return is nearing, and how that’s going to impact interest in the Kraken without them at least being a playoff team.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

I generally agree with what you’re saying, but I think what often gets skipped over when we rip on management’s quick reversal are the rumors suggesting the Sonics’ return is nearing, and how that’s going to impact interest in the Kraken without them at least being a playoff team.

But would management be even talking about "winning sooner than later" if the playoffs never happened? I think talk of the Sonics coming gives them a good reason to "justify" that reversal but I can't see them talking this way if our 2nd season was like any of our other 3.

 

[kihei]

Hey Habs fan here. I'm not really in tune with the Kraken. I was just wondering what the team management is trying to do in the short term. Continue to build with young pieces? Enter retool? Start to compete right away?

The habs are obviously in need of two big pieces. One of which is a top 4 RHD. Do you think the Kraken would shop Larsson and what do you think would be a realistic asking price?

Joshua Roy and a 2nd? Just guessing. I'm lousy at this sort of thing. Ideally, we could use a young D prospect but yours are too blue chippy or too controversial to touch (Mailloux).

 

[Interior Cascadian]

But would management be even talking about "winning sooner than later" if the playoffs never happened? I think talk of the Sonics coming gives them a good reason to "justify" that reversal but I can't see them talking this way if our 2nd season was like any of our other 3.

 

[dylanmacarthur]

Hindsight is 20/20 and all that. The plan was to build for the future. They made the playoffs and ownership appears to have changed their tune. The problem arose after that as the team was now caught between trying to be good without sacrificing any future assets and ended up with some really bad signings. Not excusing the GM (Francis) for this as he made the signings but it was never an area he has been comfortable with but ownership trying to fit a square peg in a round hole never works. Coaching has also been a noticeable issue since they have been focused on "second" chances. I am hoping we either have a fresh face in the NHL. If not, maybe someone who has had better experience coaching younger teams and teams will less talent.

I was not unhappy with the expansion draft. I was unhappy with a few FA signings. The drafting has been pretty damn good and we have not given up future assets, so nothing to complain about there. Most of our "bad" FA's minus Stephenson are off the book after the 2027-28 season as well.

Tanking was never an option for us. As much as we would have liked it.

I understand your negativity and the team has been terrible for the last 2 seasons but changes won't take that long. A better coach, 1 impactful player via UFA or trade and we are a bubble team this season. Catton and 1-2 other prospects making an impact next season will hopefully mean we are trending in the right direction.

Check my posting history. I don’t have hindsight I have foresight. I was right the last few years. I’m right now too.

We will be irrelevant for at least 5 years absent a fundamental change in approach.

 

[Fuhrious]

Check my posting history. I don’t have hindsight I have foresight. I was right the last few years. I’m right now too.

We will be irrelevant for at least 5 years absent a fundamental change in approach.

Weird flex. Your post history (here anyway) is a salt mine.

 

[dylanmacarthur]

Weird flex. Your post history (here anyway) is a salt mine.

salt is a valuable commodity.

 

[Kevinsane]

If you’re prescient, other people will notice and say so. Saying so yourself kinda smacks of the broken clock effect.
Predicting the Kraken might suck is not threatening Nostradamus’s record.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Check my posting history. I don’t have hindsight I have foresight. I was right the last few years. I’m right now too.

We will be irrelevant for at least 5 years absent a fundamental change in approach.

Maybe make a constructive post for a change.

The only times you show up here it is to voice a seasonal "I told you so" announcement about how bad the Kraken are. Maybe try to have a conversation about what the problem really is. What do you think a good solution to that problem is? We are all open to listen to you and have a conversation. But all you seem to want to do is "come. shit. go".

 

[gstommylee]

Woo Beniers, daccord mikey (and our equipment manager) IIHF mens worlds champions!!!

 

[RainyCityHockey]

Seems like the Kraken are one of the teams interested in Marco Rossi)Minnesota Wild)

The Blackhawks, Kraken, Flyers, Penguins, and Sabres are among the teams that have shown interest in acquiring Wild pending restricted free agent center Marco Rossi, according to RG’s James Murphy. While general manager Bill Guerin has refuted trade speculation surrounding the 2020 ninth overall pick in the past, there hasn’t been much noise around progress in contract talks so far this offseason, especially after he had his minutes slashed in the playoffs by head coach John Hynes.

Multiple Teams Showing Interest In Marco Rossi

Buffalo, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Seattle are among the teams calling the Wild about Marco Rossi's availability in a trade.

www.prohockeyrumors.com

 

[gstommylee]

 

[The Marquis]

Two year, one-way. Hmmm.

Honestly, I like his game and what he brings as a fourth line guy, and we need more of that kind of player anyway, but wasn’t he a UFA? Seems a little on the premature side.

 

[gstommylee]

Two year, one-way. Hmmm.

Honestly, I like his game and what he brings as a fourth line guy, and we need more of that kind of player anyway, but wasn’t he a UFA? Seems a little on the premature side.

Yea he was on an expiring contract but he seems happy to remain where he's at.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

Two year, one-way. Hmmm.

Honestly, I like his game and what he brings as a fourth line guy, and we need more of that kind of player anyway, but wasn’t he a UFA? Seems a little on the premature side.

Well,if it's a league minimum deal you can still bury the cap hit by sending him down.

On the other hand, Botterill basically just signed bottom six forwards(and Jeff Skinner) while he was the GM in Buffalo.

 

[The Marquis]

I think I’m starting to feel the most dread about the Kraken that I have so far. It’s not Mariners dread where everything feels insurmountable and there is no hope unless they are 15 games up, but it’s definitely dread.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

I think I’m starting to feel the most dread about the Kraken that I have so far. It’s not Mariners dread where everything feels insurmountable and there is no hope unless they are 15 games up, but it’s definitely dread.

I am waiting to see how the off-season goes before I decide to be honest. Lambert has such a small size as a HC, I don't know what to make of it. Also, curious about how the draft and off-season go.

 

[gstommylee]

I am waiting to see how the off-season goes before I decide to be honest. Lambert has such a small size as a HC, I don't know what to make of it. Also, curious about how the draft and off-season go.

i can understand seattle going with lambert whom does have some coaching experience both as a HC and assistant coach instead of Love and Sturm whom have zero years of experience at the NHL level. I think going with AHL coaches that never coached in the NHL would be a bigger gamble and bigger risks.

I'm hoping lambert can get our skaters to actually play defense to actually defend properly. I feel like he can solve that problem. The bigger question i have is what is his plan for our offense especially the power play.

​

 

[Dead Coyote]

Seems like the Kraken are one of the teams interested in Marco Rossi)Minnesota Wild)

Multiple Teams Showing Interest In Marco Rossi

Buffalo, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Seattle are among the teams calling the Wild about Marco Rossi's availability in a trade.

www.prohockeyrumors.com

As they should be. I'm not sure if the GM would do it but trading Beniers for Rossi is something that has been brought up by both fanbases and is interesting. Getting him without Beniers would be even better.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

As they should be. I'm not sure if the GM would do it but trading Beniers for Rossi is something that has been brought up by both fanbases and is interesting. Getting him without Beniers would be even better.

You don't trade Beniers for Rossi, especially since the Wild seem to not be that high on Rossi.
At least given the way they've been handling his situation.

Also, with Lambert as the new coach I doubt the team's going to trade a 200 feet/two way center for Rossi.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

As they should be. I'm not sure if the GM would do it but trading Beniers for Rossi is something that has been brought up by both fanbases and is interesting. Getting him without Beniers would be even better.

You don't trade Beniers for Rossi, especially since the Wild seem to not be that high on Rossi.
At least given the way they've been handling his situation.

Also, with Lambert as the new coach I doubt the team's going to trade a 200 feet/two way center for Rossi.

I agree. I just don't see us moving Beniers for Rossi. I can see interest in him but for draft picks or prospect (not Catton or our 1st round pick this season).

I will be very surprised if we start next season without a better player on offense than anyone on our current roster. I don't quite know if they will be Marner level of elite but I can see someone maybe 1 or 2 steps below, like Ehlers. Either via trade or UFA.

I am not going in with high expectations, but if the team can stick to being good defensively AND Joey can have a season similar to the last one, I can see us being a bubble team.

My concern about Lambert is more around how he deals with the kids.

 

[Dead Coyote]

You don't trade Beniers for Rossi, especially since the Wild seem to not be that high on Rossi.
At least given the way they've been handling his situation.

Also, with Lambert as the new coach I doubt the team's going to trade a 200 feet/two way center for Rossi.

I agree, but it's worth considering. This team desperately needs offense and Rossi could be a 90pt player or better. Whether or not Beniers improves is a call that the staff needs to make. If they think he won't and that Rossi will, they should pull the trigger. But I do doubt that they do that or any move similar.

 

[Scomerica]

 

[Fuhrious]

Wasn’t sure if they’d bring him back or let him walk.

So barring any unexpected moves, it’s the same group as last season with a question mark for the #7/AHL spot. Maybe re-sign Fleury, maybe they anticipate Ottavainen being that guy in 25-26, maybe they add one in UFA?