Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken are the NHL's thirty-second franchise, bringing professional hockey to a Pacific Northwest city that had been coveting a team for decades. Seattle's hockey history stretches back to the 1917 Metropolitans, the first American team to win the Stanley Cup, and when the expansion was announced, season ticket deposits sold out in minutes. Climate Pledge Arena, built inside the historic shell of KeyArena at Seattle Center, is one of the most architecturally ambitious and environmentally conscious sports venues ever constructed, reflecting Seattle's progressive values.

Now in their fourth season, the Kraken are still establishing their identity as a franchise. The surprising 2023 playoff run energized the city and gave the fan base a taste of what postseason hockey feels like in Seattle, but sustained competitiveness is the next hurdle. The franchise is building through the draft and player development, the patient approach that expansion teams must embrace, and the front office is working to assemble a roster that can compete annually in a Pacific Division that includes established powers. The Kraken's maritime-themed identity - from the deep-sea blue color scheme to the anchor-shaped "S" logo - has resonated with fans who embrace Seattle's connection to the ocean.

The foundation is strong: a world-class arena, an engaged ownership group led by David Bonderman and the Oak View Group, and a city hungry for hockey. The Kraken are still writing their origin story, and the early chapters have shown both promise and the inevitable growing pains of a young franchise finding its footing. In a region passionate about its Seahawks and Sounders, the Kraken are carving out their own space - and the sense that the franchise's best chapters are yet to be written keeps the Pacific Northwest's newest hockey fans coming back.