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

[Scomerica]

Well, I'll be damned if you didn't just make the most realistic analogy about this teams current situation. They are just sitting at the fork, expecting something to happen while looking up every path and seeing what comes down it rather than moving down a path themselves. That kind of sucks.

I'm actually relatively positive, but I'm also a realist. If something isn't good, it isn't good and the Kraken are NOT GOOD. The optimists that think otherwise I don't think are grounded in reality. They ARE NOT GOOD. Every single objective thing about the team says this. Their record, the team stats, the player stats, the underlying stats. This is just not a good team. That said, when we get something new I do tend to try and give it a chance to settle in before declaring it as bad. When something changes, you always know where it's starting from. Does it improve? Yes, that's good. No, that's bad. It's pretty simple.

So while I'm not thrilled with the Botterill hire, I will happily give him some time. For a GM, that's a lot longer than a coach. As for Lambert, I don't see where the negativity is coming from at all. The guy has only been successful. He had a pretty decent record at the time he was fired. If he can get that out of the Kraken that far into the season, we'll all be extremely happy. All he needs to do is get better results from the players. That's not easy, but if they are BOTH doing their job well, we can count on it.

At least the Kraken spend money (when they probably shouldn't). Mariners cheap out.

Someone earlier said Seattle sports is built on hope. It's probably true. I mean people were sad Geno Smith left when he was never winning a super bowl.

It's always been a city that's teams do well when it produces it's own talent and they become stars and/or is the plucky underdog. Sometimes just out of luck. Less so when it tries to get highly paid free agents in. Needs to be a combo of a solid core you brought through with a couple of players outside to supplement and get you over the hump. Maybe it's just patience and the youngsters learn but if that's the case you cant bring in mediocre guys to take away ice time.

I'm not sure what path they take in the fork. Maybe they hope if they keep drafting well they stumble onto a true star or if they suck next year again get a lottery pick that turns it around this time and almost right away.

 

[kihei]

I'm not sure what path they take in the fork. Maybe they hope if they keep drafting well they stumble onto a true star or if they suck next year again get a lottery pick that turns it around this time and almost right away.

I am already wondering how conflicted I could get at some point next season by the dilemma the 2026 NHL entry draft might pose. I mean, the payoff in that lottery is Gavin McKenna, who could be a mammoth fortune-altering addition to any franchise. I don't want us to lose, but the idea that the lower we finish in the standings, the greater the chances that our lottery ticket could be the one that pays off is somehow more consoling than it maybe should be.

 

[Kevinsane]

Like you, I just want a DIRECTION to cheer for. Not even wins, necessarily. Just a direction, and the logical and sustainable one is to build through the draft and develop the pipeline. I fear, though, that the most excited I’ll be next season is at the unveiling of another jersey. There’ll be hockey moments that’ll be fun to watch, sure, but I don’t want us all to be back here in June of 2026 saying the same things.

 

[Fuhrious]

I am already wondering how conflicted I could get at some point next season by the dilemma the 2026 NHL entry draft might pose. I mean, the payoff in that lottery is Gavin McKenna, who could be a mammoth fortune-altering addition to any franchise. I don't want us to lose, but the idea that the lower we finish in the standings, the greater the chances that our lottery ticket could be the one that pays off is somehow more consoling than it maybe should be.

Hughes, Lafreniere, Wright, Bedard, Celebrini…

Kind of bored with this whole “<next years galactic tier prospect> is franchise altering, let’s tank for him” deal everyone’s been doing the last 5 or 6 years. Call me when one of them actually wins something.

 

[kihei]

Hughes, Lafreniere, Wright, Bedard, Celebrini…

Kind of bored with this whole “<next years galactic tier prospect> is franchise altering, let’s tank for him” deal everyone’s been doing the last 5 or 6 years. Call me when one of them actually wins something.

If various scouting reports are close to correct, McKenna as a prospect is closer to McDavid-level than Celebrini-level. And I'm not counseling that we deliberately tank which I think is pretty much impossible anyway. I'm just saying if by the New Year, the season goes south on its own, ending up with a decent lottery pick could really mitigate the disappointment.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

I'm not sure what path they take in the fork. Maybe they hope if they keep drafting well they stumble onto a true star or if they suck next year again get a lottery pick that turns it around this time and almost right away.

According to (fan)media people who talked to people within the Kraken organization, the Kraken want to be good and make the playoffs.

If that's the case I hope Botterill doesn make some trades to improve the team.
If not, and he's just having a similar summer as the Kraken had last year, than we're in for another in between/we don't know what TF we want/are doing season.

I think it worth mentioning that another problem (potentially of Francis’ own making) is that Dunn and Montour didn’t appear to pair very well. Kind of understandable since they both sort of play the same game?

I think you move Dunn and then look for a good physical LHD to pair with Montour. I feel like that alone would help this defensive group immensely

Don't know.

Maybe something around Dunn for K'Andre Miller(Rangers)?

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

According to (fan)media people who talked to people within the Kraken organization, the Kraken want to be good and make the playoffs.

If that's the case I hope Botterill doesn make some trades to improve the team.

This is the direction they are very likely going. They will try to make trades to improve the team and make the playoffs.

If not, and he's just having a similar summer as the Kraken had last year, than we're in for another in between/we don't know what TF we want/are doing season.

The type of trades are what will really determine our direction. Even before last TDL, I was concerned they would like to go for the likes of Krieder to add more goal scoring and size. I am very glad that we were not in on that trade. Make moves to improve the roster but focus on quality and not quantity. Move assets to get Peterka/Robertson, etc. so that it helps us this season and the future. I got some hope last season when they moved Gourde and Tanev simply because we knew the "general" Kraken fans were going to boohoo about losing them and management still did it. Now do it this off-season by trying to move contracts that are likely to expire at the end of the season.

Buyout "good guy" Gru to reset the locker room a bit. I was all but sure about this happening, but the recent interviews talking about getting a goalie coach who is experienced with both Daccord and Gru, etc. makes me believe the management may not have learnt many lessons yet.

I am still choosing to be hopeful, but my confidence level after Botterill's 1st conference has simply gone down.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

This is the direction they are very likely going. They will try to make trades to improve the team and make the playoffs.

The type of trades are what will really determine our direction. Even before last TDL, I was concerned they would like to go for the likes of Krieder to add more goal scoring and size. I am very glad that we were not in on that trade. Make moves to improve the roster but focus on quality and not quantity. Move assets to get Peterka/Robertson, etc. so that it helps us this season and the future. I got some hope last season when they moved Gourde and Tanev simply because we knew the "general" Kraken fans were going to boohoo about losing them and management still did it. Now do it this off-season by trying to move contracts that are likely to expire at the end of the season.

Buyout "good guy" Gru to reset the locker room a bit. I was all but sure about this happening, but the recent interviews talking about getting a goalie coach who is experienced with both Daccord and Gru, etc. makes me believe the management may not have learnt many lessons yet.

I am still choosing to be hopeful, but my confidence level after Botterill's 1st conference has simply gone down.

I guess hope for the best but prepare for the worst makes the most sense for Kraken fans.

Can't wait for Kasperi Kapanen being signed to a 4x4 deal with the Kraken.
"He'll help our PK and improve the team".
Fast, hard hitting dude with hands of stone. Seems about right.

 

[Scomerica]

This is the direction they are very likely going. They will try to make trades to improve the team and make the playoffs.

The type of trades are what will really determine our direction. Even before last TDL, I was concerned they would like to go for the likes of Krieder to add more goal scoring and size. I am very glad that we were not in on that trade. Make moves to improve the roster but focus on quality and not quantity. Move assets to get Peterka/Robertson, etc. so that it helps us this season and the future. I got some hope last season when they moved Gourde and Tanev simply because we knew the "general" Kraken fans were going to boohoo about losing them and management still did it. Now do it this off-season by trying to move contracts that are likely to expire at the end of the season.

Buyout "good guy" Gru to reset the locker room a bit. I was all but sure about this happening, but the recent interviews talking about getting a goalie coach who is experienced with both Daccord and Gru, etc. makes me believe the management may not have learnt many lessons yet.

I am still choosing to be hopeful, but my confidence level after Botterill's 1st conference has simply gone down.

There's still fans out there that love Gru on Twitter/X. Baffling

 

[Scomerica]

Watching that Stanley Cup game last night made it feel like the Kraken are a million miles away from the level. Put your backup goalie in at 3-0 down and it working and him playing well. Panthers pulling their goalie in the last 2 minutes and it actually working to tie the game. Feel like i've saw that work for the Kraken about once or twice

 

[Fuhrious]

If various scouting reports are close to correct, McKenna as a prospect is closer to McDavid-level than Celebrini-level. And I'm not counseling that we deliberately tank which I think is pretty much impossible anyway. I'm just saying if by the New Year, the season goes south on its own, ending up with a decent lottery pick could really mitigate the disappointment.

No, I know you aren’t advocating for it. I should have been clearer about that. Apologies.

As far as his prospect quality, all of the young players I mentioned were “McDavid-level” “generational talents” the year before they were draft eligible. For the most part while they’ve all panned out to be solid to maybe even star players, I don’t know that any of them are bone fide superstars let alone “generational” McDavid Jrs. Draft prospect hype fatigue is real.

 

[Scomerica]

No, I know you aren’t advocating for it. I should have been clearer about that. Apologies.

As far as his prospect quality, all of the young players I mentioned were “McDavid-level” “generational talents” the year before they were draft eligible. For the most part while they’ve all panned out to be solid to maybe even star players, I don’t know that any of them are bone fide superstars let alone “generational” McDavid Jrs. Draft prospect hype fatigue is real.

NBA expansion came up again last week and the commissioner sounded like August now. If true, I still think that plays a factor and ownership REALLY don't want us to suck and make the play offs.

 

[kihei]

Don't know.

Maybe something around Dunn for K'Andre Miller(Rangers)?

Miller is one of those players whom I love to watch play, his athleticism is his strong suit. But because I love to watch him play, I can tell you he has defensive lapses that are....gigantic. And seemingly inexplicable. This may have something to do with one of the things that make him interesting: he is a former forward transformed into a defenseman. However, I would bet his decision-making would eventually drive people on this board nuts.

 

[gstommylee]

NBA expansion came up again last week and the commissioner sounded like August now. If true, I still think that plays a factor and ownership REALLY don't want us to suck and make the play offs.

Can we stop playing that whole media narrative that kraken has to win win and win no matter how much it'll potentially backfire on the team in the years to come just for the sake of a NBA team that STILL probably won't be that great for a while.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

There's still fans out there that love Gru on Twitter/X. Baffling

Because he is a good guy! There are genuinely fans who are more attached to players than the teams success. I guess to each their own, but I wouldn't shed a tear if they moved a single player/prospect from our organization currently if they are getting a truly elite player who fits the age group (26 or under).

 

[Scomerica]

Can we stop playing that whole media narrative that kraken has to win win and win no matter how much it'll potentially backfire on the team in the years to come just for the sake of a NBA team that STILL probably won't be that great for a while.

It's a weird situation. If it was a first time NBA team I think there would be less urgency. In some ways though they'd immediately be an established team given the history. At points in the 1990's the Sonics were THE Seattle team. If it's the same owners there's the risk ownership gets distracted focusing on one vs the other if you are trying to get both good. Also the risk that with the economy starting to tank that sports $ become more limited and people pick and choose. Right now the Kraken has a monopoly on pro winter sports here.

 

[Interior Cascadian]

Miller is one of those players whom I love to watch play, his athleticism is his strong suit. But because I love to watch him play, I can tell you he has defensive lapses that are....gigantic. And seemingly inexplicable. This may have something to do with one of the things that make him interesting: he is a former forward transformed into a defenseman. However, I would bet his decision-making would eventually drive people on this board nuts.

I freely admit you know him better than I do. Do you think those defensive gaffs can be fixed (or at least limited) with a defensive philosophy that stresses structure and paying attention to the little details? Could he grow and learn in an environment like that?

 

[gstommylee]

It's a weird situation. If it was a first time NBA team I think there would be less urgency. In some ways though they'd immediately be an established team given the history. At points in the 1990's the Sonics were THE Seattle team. If it's the same owners there's the risk ownership gets distracted focusing on one vs the other if you are trying to get both good. Also the risk that with the economy starting to tank that sports $ become more limited and people pick and choose. Right now the Kraken has a monopoly on pro winter sports here.

It won't be own by another group cause of CPA. The thing is the media aka seattle times by a former beat writer (geoff baker) started the team better do something before the sonics or they'll be irrelevant drum then other media picked on that and starting pushing that narrative. Trying to win now cause of a NBA team that probably won't be good for a while will backfire and the team will end up being exactly where they are now a lottery team with a bad prospect pool cause of the whole must win must win now attutide.

remember Geoff baker loves to play the doom and gloom game back when he was a write for the Seattle Times just to get clicks and ad money for the paper.

 

[The Marquis]

It won't be own by another group cause of CPA. The thing is the media aka seattle times by a former beat writer (geoff baker) started the team better do something before the sonics or they'll be irrelevant drum then other media picked on that and starting pushing that narrative. Trying to win now cause of a NBA team that probably won't be good for a while will backfire and the team will end up being exactly where they are now a lottery team with a bad prospect pool cause of the whole must win must win now attutide.

remember Geoff baker loves to play the doom and gloom game back when he was a write for the Seattle Times just to get clicks and ad money for the paper.

So he’s a regular ass journalist?

I do get that the whole thing really is a media narrative. Seattle can absolutely support both.

 

[gstommylee]

So he’s a regular ass journalist?

I do get that the whole thing really is a media narrative. Seattle can absolutely support both.

Baker is now a team employee now and 100% toned down from his doom/gloom days. Also NBA isn't the same back when we had the sonics so not everyone of the seattle sports fanbase is gonna go back to paying attention to the NBA. Me someone who was a NBA fan of the sonics in the 90's won't go back cause the NBA is well very very poor boring product now a days. Not fun anymore.

 

[Kevinsane]

Because he is a good guy! There are genuinely fans who are more attached to players than the teams success. I guess to each their own, but I wouldn't shed a tear if they moved a single player/prospect from our organization currently if they are getting a truly elite player who fits the age group (26 or under).

“Good guy” works for marketing and community engagement, but at 18 Tom Barrasso went from HIGH SCHOOL to a Vezina. He was and is a complete POS as a person, and wasn’t loved by his teammates.
Eddie Belfour was a loner who was openly hostile to his backups.
I’d take a Belfour or Barrasso any day over a guy who has a warm smile while he’s fishing pucks out of the net.

 

[CLW]

Miller is one of those players whom I love to watch play, his athleticism is his strong suit. But because I love to watch him play, I can tell you he has defensive lapses that are....gigantic. And seemingly inexplicable. This may have something to do with one of the things that make him interesting: he is a former forward transformed into a defenseman. However, I would bet his decision-making would eventually drive people on this board nuts.

The Rangers are desperate for a real side kick for Fox. Maybe Dunn for Cuylle and Schneider would work. I wouldn't touch K'AM. Having said that, K'AM looked like a different player, very dependable, when he played in the few games the Rangers looked at Jaques Martin's organized and defensive system. If the Kraken plan to return to a more systematic approach K'AM might be more protected and less error prone. But I think Dunn primarily needs to be moved for offensive help if he's traded.

The team already has Evans as a puck moving smaller D and they need to decide if he truly is good enough to keep around long term. If you want to have smaller D in your top four they need to be solid defensively or outstanding offensively. To me Evans is redundant if the team is going to keep Dunn and Montour, which again points to trading Dunn for his value. The team also resigned Mahura, who is solid but yet again a smaller player. Oleksiak is big but slowing down, he is another one who still has trade value I'd imagine.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

The team already has Evans as a puck moving smaller D and they need to decide if he truly is good enough to keep around long term. If you want to have smaller D in your top four they need to be solid defensively or outstanding offensively. To me Evans is redundant if the team is going to keep Dunn and Montour, which again points to trading Dunn for his value. The team also resigned Mahura, who is solid but yet again a smaller player. Oleksiak is big but slowing down, he is another one who still has trade value I'd imagine.

Evans is not a UFA till 2029. They bridge him for now and go from there, hoping that he is ready to take over as a top-4 LD by then.

Oleksiak should be moved no matter what because he is just not a good partner for Montour. Montour needs someone who is good in his end and can also skate well enough to cover for him. A player like him should be easier to replace because he is a left shot defensive D-man.

Dunn worries me simply because he has always been tough to negotiate with going back to his Blues days. That plus a lot of us have felt that he was not very happy with the Montour signing, someone who we have for another 6 years and isn't going anywhere. Moving Dunn would certainly mean a step backwards for the blueline this season which a team trying to win today may not want to make.

None of these issues are unfixable but the teams needs to make decisions which I am not sure they are brave enough to make because of fear of failure. I know making the trades on paper is easy but the value is there for some of our players.

We have positive assets for sure. Dunn, Oleksiak, McCann, 2 x 1st round picks (not ours) and any of our prospects (minus Catton). To a lesser extent Eberle, Schwartz, Tolvanen have positive value too.

Can we make trades to land someone like Byram, Nemec, Batherson, Robertson, Peterka, Necas, etc? I think we can but the team needs to decide to move on from these vets who are good but have show they are not good enough for our team which needs higher quality of players to build around.

 

[kihei]

I freely admit you know him better than I do. Do you think those defensive gaffs can be fixed (or at least limited) with a defensive philosophy that stresses structure and paying attention to the little details? Could he grow and learn in an environment like that?

That's not an easy question to answer. His hockey IQ says no. Way too many dumb, head-shaking giveaways, plus he has seemed to regress a little each of the past two years. But a lot of other factors say yes, worth the risk. The last two years he played with Trouba which was a mixed blessing, good some of the time but increasingly erratic. This year he got off to a bad start, Rangers fans seemed really down on him, and his confidence suffered. Then, Trouba was traded and, ironically, Borgen, who came to the Rangers in the Kakko trade, became his usual partner and, in the relatively little I saw of him, he seemed to have settled down quite a bit after that.

Another mitigating factor is that having started out as forward, he is still undergoing a fairly steep learning curve in transforming into a defenseman. He could really use a mentor and Larsson might fill that bill. He still has his athleticism and probably a bit more offensive pop than what he has shown to this point. Getting out of the Ranger organization might very well be the best thing that could happen to him.

He is only 25 years old, still young for a defenseman. If the Kraken could rehabilitate him, he could bring a lot of upside to our team. All things considered, in the right defensive environment, I think he still has the potential to thrive. The question is are the Kraken the team that can provide such an environment. If your answer is yes, he is worth the risk.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

Can we make trades to land someone like Byram, Nemec, Batherson, Robertson, Peterka, Necas, etc? I think we can but the team needs to decide to move on from these vets who are good but have show they are not good enough for our team which needs higher quality of players to build around.

The Kraken surely can but will they actually?

What you seem to suggest is trading for younger guys and trading away vets like Oleksiak etc.
That would, at least officially, be more of a step back and admitting they're trying to build next year.

Given what people, who talked to Kraken FO members have said that doesn't seem to be likely, cause they want to "win now and make the playoffs".

I wouldn't be surprsed if we actually don't see that much change and, at best, they're able to land one of those RFA's while signing another decent vet in free agency.
I mean, they've already got the defense together again)they'll find a deal with Evans as well) and then it's only about a forward or two to bring in.

BTW: The first domino to fall, judging Botterill and the Kraken, will be about 48 hours after the stanley cup final concludes cause that's when buyouts are possible.
If Grubauer's still a Kraken after that window closes you know they'll try tu, at least somewhat, run it back again...