Considering some of the decisions that have been made in puck operations and in the broadcasting department over the last five years, things could go wonky, but the Kraken owners and hockey higher-ups have to realistically be looking ahead to 2027-’28 with a certain amount of optimism as it relates to any type of success on-ice.
This next season is a wash.
On Friday I brought up defenseman Cale Fleury being a wild card on the blueline, another way of saying he, Josh Mahura, and potentially Ville Ottavainen are placeholders until that corps completely gets its line-up together.
I’m sticking with the defense on back-to-back days as the poster boys for the team’s issues here. I’ve hammered the lack of talent up front sufficiently over the last twelve months. OK, 24 months.
Next spring, the Kraken will either be spending big time on soon-to-be UFA Vince Dunn, or letting the almost 30-something lefty skate off into free agency. At the same time the club will be bucking up to keep then 25-year-old pending restricted free agent (RFA) Ryker Evans firmly in the fold. He’s due for a fat raise from the two-mill’ he’s been making the last two seasons.
Also when those decisions are made, young righty Chase Reid might be joining the mix. Too soon? We shall see. Count on the Kraken to make the right decision, tongue firmly in cheek.
Reid, the 7th-overall pick for Seattle this past NHL Draft, could see another young’un in Blake Fiddler making an impression. Another righthander, Fiddler was a 2nd-round pick of the team in 2025 and has spent the last three seasons with the Edmonton Oil Kings in the Western Hockey League.
Barring trade, Brandon Montour will still be around, as will Adam Larsson and Ryan Lindgren.
There’s your corps, with youngsters added, hopefully, for the foreseeable future. And who knows, as Mr. Dreyfuss pointed out in these pages today, finish far enough down the standings, win the NHL Draft Lottery, and the Kraken could snag consensus 1st-overall 2027 pick Landon DuPont. After two seasons just up the road with the Everett Silvertips, the right-handed Calgary native is headed east to skate along the blueline in college hockey for the Michigan Wolverines.
Oh, to dream.
Dreams mixed with roster building. For 2027-’28 and beyond
This next season’s a wash.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Silver Lining Would Be Landing DuPont In the 2027 Draft
