The Seattle Kraken are at a crossroads. After a season of middling results, where they finished 16th in the league in goals per game, general manager Jason Botterill has made it clear that “good enough” is no longer good enough. The team’s success in the upcoming 2025-26 season hinges on the answers to two critical questions, and the front office has made some bold moves to find them. The acquisition of Mason Marchment from the Dallas Stars is a clear indication of the Kraken’s new philosophy: get bigger, get meaner, and get to the front of the net. But will this shift in strategy be enough to turn the tide in the competitive Pacific Division?
Can the Kraken Grind Their Way to More Goals?
The Kraken’s biggest offseason splash was the trade for 6-foot-5 forward Mason Marchment. This wasn’t a move for flash and dash; this was a statement of intent. Seattle is tired of being pushed to the perimeter. They need more goals from the high-danger areas – the rebounds, the deflections, the greasy goals that win playoff games. Marchment, who was a force in front of the net for the Stars, is expected to be a major part of the solution.
The hope is that his size and willingness to battle in the dirty areas will create more space for the skilled players and lead to more of those hard-earned goals. The team is also looking for continued development from younger players like Kaapo Kakko and Jani Nyman to add to that down-low presence.
Will Special Teams Finally Become a Strength?
It’s no secret that the Kraken’s special teams have been a source of frustration. A power play that ranked 23rd and a penalty kill that sat at 21st are simply not good enough for a team with playoff aspirations. Botterill has acknowledged that this is an area that “has to be better,” and Marchment’s arrival should provide a boost to the man advantage.
His numbers with the Stars suggest he can be a key contributor on the power play, but the improvement can’t just come from one player. The continued growth of young players like Matty Beniers and Ryker Evans on the penalty kill will be just as crucial. If the Kraken can turn their special teams from a weakness into a weapon, it will go a long way in their quest for a playoff spot.
Seattle Kraken 2025-26 Pre-Season Schedule
Here are the dates, times, and locations for all of the Seattle Kraken’s pre-season games:
- Sunday, September 21st vs. Vancouver Canucks at Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle (5:00 PM PT)
- Tuesday, September 23rd @ Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary (6:00 PM PT)
- Wednesday, September 24th @ Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place, Edmonton (Time TBD)
- Friday, September 26th @ Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena, Vancouver (7:00 PM PT)
- Monday, September 29th vs. Calgary Flames at Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle (7:00 PM PT)
- Wednesday, October 1st vs. Edmonton Oilers at Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle (7:00 PM PT)
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