As the 2024-25 National Hockey League (NHL) season progresses, the Seattle Kraken find themselves in a familiar yet challenging position within the Western Conference. After a promising sophomore season that saw them make a surprising playoff run, the current campaign has presented a different set of hurdles. This article will delve into the Seattle Kraken’s standings, analyze their performance, address common questions surrounding the team, and provide a comprehensive overview of their journey this season.
Current Standings: A Look at the Numbers
As of Wednesday, April 23, 2025, the Seattle Kraken occupy the 7th position in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Their current record stands at 35 wins, 41 losses, and 6 overtime losses, totaling 76 points in 82 games played. This places them significantly outside the playoff picture, a stark contrast to their performance in the previous season.
To provide further context, here’s a snapshot of the Pacific Division standings:
Rank Team GP W L OTL PTS
1 Vegas Golden Knights 82 50 22 10 110
2 Los Angeles Kings 82 48 25 9 105
3 Edmonton Oilers 82 48 29 5 101
4 Calgary Flames 82 41 27 14 96
5 Vancouver Canucks 82 38 30 14 90
6 Anaheim Ducks 82 35 37 10 80
7 Seattle Kraken 82 35 41 6 76
8 San Jose Sharks 82 20 50 12 52
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Source: NHL.com and Fox Sports (as of April 23, 2025)
This table clearly illustrates the gap between the Kraken and the playoff-bound teams in their division. While they have shown flashes of strong play, consistency has been a significant issue throughout the season.
Playoff Chances: A Look Back at the Elimination
The question on many fans’ minds has undoubtedly been about the Seattle Kraken’s chances of making the playoffs. Unfortunately, those hopes were extinguished on March 29, 2025, when the St. Louis Blues’ victory over the Colorado Avalanche mathematically eliminated the Kraken from postseason contention.
This elimination came with approximately nine games remaining in the regular season, a disappointing outcome for a team that had raised expectations after their previous playoff appearance. Several factors contributed to this outcome, which we will explore further in this article.
Analyzing the Season’s Performance: Highs and Lows
The 2024-25 season has been a rollercoaster for the Seattle Kraken, marked by periods of strong play interspersed with stretches of inconsistency.
Areas of Strength:
Goaltending: Despite the team’s overall struggles, the goaltending tandem of Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer has often been a bright spot. Daccord, in particular, has showcased his talent and emerged as a reliable presence in net.
Individual Performances: Several players have had strong individual seasons. While the team’s leading scorers might not be among the league’s elite, players like Jordan Eberle (who serves as the team’s captain) and others have contributed offensively.
Late Season Resilience: Even after being eliminated from playoff contention, the Kraken have shown some resilience in the final weeks of the season, securing some victories and demonstrating a commitment to finishing the season strong.
Areas of Weakness:
Consistency: The most significant challenge for the Kraken this season has been their inability to maintain a consistent level of play. Streaks of wins have often been followed by periods of losses, hindering their ability to climb the standings.
Offensive Production: While there have been individual bright spots, the team’s overall offensive production has been inconsistent. They have struggled to score consistently, particularly in crucial moments of games.
Defensive Lapses: At times, the team’s defensive structure has broken down, leading to costly goals against. While their overall goals-against number isn’t the worst in the league, timely defensive errors have hurt them.
Special Teams: The power play and penalty kill have been inconsistent, failing to provide a significant advantage or effectively negate opponents’ special teams.
Coaching Change and its Impact
A significant development during the season was the departure of head coach Dan Bylsma after just one season at the helm. While the exact reasons for the split remain somewhat unclear, the timing suggests that the team’s performance did not meet expectations. Bylsma, a coach with a Stanley Cup pedigree, was brought in to implement a system emphasizing speed, structure, and puck possession. However, the team struggled with consistency under his leadership.
Fan Engagement and YouTube Discussions
Online platforms like YouTube have become hubs for fan discussions and analysis of the Seattle Kraken. Some common themes and questions that have emerged on these platforms include:
Disappointment with the Season: Many fans have expressed their disappointment with the team’s performance compared to the previous season’s playoff success. Discussions often revolve around the reasons for the regression and the future of the team.
Coaching Change Analysis: The dismissal of Dan Bylsma has been a significant topic of discussion, with fans debating the reasons behind the decision and speculating about potential replacements.
Player Performance Evaluation: Individual player performances are constantly under scrutiny, with debates about who has performed well, who has underachieved, and which players should be part of the team’s future.
Prospect Development: The progress of the Kraken’s prospects in the AHL (with the Coachella Valley Firebirds) and other leagues is a topic of interest, with fans eager to see which young players will eventually make an impact at the NHL level.
Trade Deadline Moves (or lack thereof): Discussions often analyze the team’s activity (or inactivity) at the trade deadline and the implications for the current season and the future.
Future Outlook and Off-Season Plans: With the playoffs out of reach, conversations have shifted towards the off-season, including potential roster changes, draft strategy, and the search for a new head coach.
Comparison to the Expansion Season: Some discussions compare the team’s current struggles to their expansion season, highlighting the unexpected success of their sophomore year and the subsequent dip in performance.
The Role of Injuries: Injuries to key players at various points in the season are often discussed as a contributing factor to the team’s inconsistency.
The Atmosphere at Climate Pledge Arena: While the team has struggled on the ice, the passionate fanbase and the atmosphere at Climate Pledge Arena remain a point of pride and discussion among fans.
Looking Ahead: The Off-Season and Future Prospects
With the 2024-25 season drawing to a close without a playoff berth, the Seattle Kraken’s focus will now shift to the off-season and building for the future. Several key areas will likely be addressed:
Hiring a New Head Coach: Finding the right coach to lead the team is paramount. The new coach will need to implement a system that maximizes the team’s strengths and addresses its weaknesses.
Roster Evaluation and Potential Changes: General Manager Jason Botterill and his staff will need to evaluate the current roster and identify areas for improvement. This could involve potential trades, free agent signings, and promoting prospects from within the organization.
Draft Strategy: The upcoming NHL Entry Draft will be a crucial opportunity to add talented young players to the team’s prospect pool. The Kraken’s draft position will be determined by their final standings in the league.
Developing Young Players: Continued development of their young players in the AHL and other leagues will be essential for the team’s long-term success. Players like Ryker Evans (a defenseman) are seen as potential building blocks for the future.
Addressing Offensive Inconsistency: Finding ways to generate more consistent offense will be a key priority. This could involve acquiring players with strong offensive capabilities or implementing a more effective offensive system.
Improving Special Teams: Enhancing the effectiveness of both the power play and the penalty kill will be crucial for gaining an edge in close games.
FAQs
What was the Seattle Kraken’s final record for the 2024–25 NHL season?
The Seattle Kraken concluded the 2024–25 NHL season with a record of 35 wins, 41 losses, and 6 overtime losses, totaling 76 points.
Where did the Kraken finish in the Pacific Division and Western Conference standings?
The Kraken secured the 7th position in the Pacific Division and ranked 13th in the Western Conference.
Did the Seattle Kraken qualify for the 2025 NHL Playoffs?
No, the Kraken did not qualify for the 2025 NHL Playoffs. Their season ended with a 6–5 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on April 16, 2025.
What were the Kraken’s home and away records?
The Kraken had a balanced home record of 17–17–5 and an away record of 17–22–1.
Who were the Kraken’s top performers this season?
Key contributors included Jared McCann, who led the team in goals, and Chandler Stephenson, who topped the assists chart. Goaltender Joey Daccord also delivered notable performances, including a shutout against the Vancouver Canucks.
Were there any significant coaching changes?
Yes, on April 21, 2025, the Kraken relieved head coach Dan Bylsma of his duties after one season. The team is now in search of a new head coach.
What challenges did the Kraken face during the season?
The team struggled with consistency, particularly in away games, and faced challenges in maintaining leads during matches. Injuries to key players also impacted their performance.
How did the Kraken perform against division rivals?
The Kraken had mixed results against Pacific Division opponents, including a notable 5–0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on April 3, 2025.
What are the expectations for the Kraken in the next season?
With a new head coach to be appointed and potential roster changes, the Kraken aim to improve their standings and contend for a playoff spot in the upcoming season.
Where can I find the latest updates on the Seattle Kraken?
For the most recent news, standings, and updates, visit the official Seattle Kraken website at NHL.com/kraken.
To conclude
The 2024–25 NHL season was a challenging one for the Seattle Kraken, marked by a 35–41–6 record and a 7th-place finish in the Pacific Division. Despite showing moments of promise, the team struggled with consistency and ultimately missed the playoffs. The season concluded with a narrow 6–5 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, sealing their postseason fate.
Key players like Jared McCann and Chandler Stephenson led the team’s offensive efforts, while goaltender Joey Daccord provided stability between the pipes, including a notable shutout against the Vancouver Canucks. However, the team’s overall performance highlighted areas needing improvement, particularly in maintaining leads and performing consistently on the road.
The decision to part ways with head coach Dan Bylsma after just one season underscores the organization’s commitment to charting a new course. As the Kraken look ahead, the appointment of a new head coach and potential roster adjustments will be pivotal in shaping the team’s future.
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