The Seattle Kraken have started their first season off with a bang. That includes an instant rivalry with the Vancouver Canucks, a passionate fan base, and a new, eco-friendly arena. But how has the on-ice performance been?
First, let's look at the positives. It starts with the surprising forecheck, which has produced some impressive results. The team has speed on the ice, especially with Brandon Tanev (six goals) flying around. There are also some timely goals coming from the likes of Jordan Eberle (five goals, two assists), making the offense much more manageable.
Climate Pledge Arena has also proven to be an excellent home venue for the Kraken. Three of their four wins have come in Seattle, making it a tough place to play. Emerald City hockey fans immediately responded, which was evident from the franchise selling out season-ticket deposits in just 12 minutes.
Now, that's not to say that there are some problems with Seattle. For one, the backcheck looks a bit raw. That's expected with a young group where the only defenseman over 30 is the captain, Mark Giordano. Still, letting your opponent have too many opportunities can be devastating for a team.
Philipp Grubauer has also been underwhelming so far. With a GAA of 2.72 and a save percentage of .897, there's more to be expected from the Vezina Trophy finalist. Granted, starting on the road can be unfriendly. However, there's still more that Grubauer can do for the Kraken.
There's no doubt that Seattle fans have responded well to hockey coming to the Pacific Northwest. The reaction has been positive, and the players are engaged. There's still some work to be done for the Kraken. However, the circumstances are there for Seattle to thrive for years to come. Just take the expansion team from Sin City that went to the Stanley Cup Final a few years back.
