HOW THE CANUCKS STACK UP AGAINST THE SEATTLE KRAKEN: PACIFIC PREVIEWS
Division rivals can make or break an entire NHL team’s year, whether it’s in the regular season or the second round of the playoffs. That’s why the Vancouver Canucks are undoubtedly keeping tabs on all seven of their fellow Pacific Division teams.
Throughout July, we’ll take a look at a new Pacific rival, and how they fared last year, how they’ve improved in the offseason, and what to expect from them in 2024-25. Today we’ll be looking at the Seattle Kraken.
The Battle of the I-5 has yet to materialize into a real rivalry yet, thanks in large part to both teams not having synched up their competitive timelines yet. When the Kraken made the playoffs in 2023, the Canucks were a long ways out. Then the story flipped in 2023-24 when the Canucks returned to the postseason, and the Kraken stumbled down the stretch.
Still, the Kraken were one of the few Pacific teams that really gave the Canucks trouble last year, winning two of their three meetings. Will this be the year when the hatred finally sets in for these cross-border rivals?
Seattle’s disappointing third season led them to make some big moves during the offseason. The team parted ways with inaugural head coach Dave Hakstol, replacing him with former Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma. The Kraken also made two of the biggest splashes during July 1 free agency, signing Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson to a pair of mammoth seven-year deals worth a combined $93.75 million.
The Kraken roster is still largely comprised of expansion draft picks, with a few homegrown prospects sprinkled in. The offence is led by former Canuck Jared McCann and Oliver Bjorkstrand, with key contributions from Matty Beniers, Jordan Eberle and Eeli Tolvanen. Vince Dunn scored 41 points from the blue line, while Adam Larsson and Jamie Oleksiak are still anchoring the back end.
Seattle’s ultimate question mark is in their goaltending. Joey Daccord had a career season, winning 19 of 46 starts and posting a .916 save percentage, but veteran Philipp Grubauer sported a losing record and a sub .900 save percentage. And with another has another three years left on a deal that will pay him $5.9 million annually, Seattle is really banking on a return to form.
The Kraken have more than enough talent to compete for a playoff spot, but putting it all together is where they’ve struggled in the past. Injuries piled up for Seattle last year, so staying healthy will be half the battle in 2024-25. How the Canucks fare against Seattle this time around could be a key measuring stick for seeing the progress both clubs have made in the last year.
The Canucks should be able to stay well ahead of the Kraken in the standings, but the additions to Seattle’s roster will certainly make these matchups much closer and much, much more intense.
Bold Prediction
The Kraken will jump over the Kings in the division standings and win their second wild-card spot in three years.
Season Series
December 28 @ Rogers Arena
January 2 @ Climate Pledge Arena
March 1 @ Climate Pledge Arena
April 2 @ Rogers Arena
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