2023 Seattle Kraken Predictions with Futures Odds and Expert NHL Picks
Last season the Seattle Kraken played way out of their shoes all season long. They gave the Stars a good fight in the second round after knocking off Colorado in the opening round. However, I am all in on Seattle being a fluke. I can bite my words later this season if they repeat their success. However, this team just was in outer space all year. They somehow finished with 100 points despite having a losing record at home. Their success on the road was crucial to their success, as they went 26-11-4 away from their home ice. This team could flat out score, as they amassed 289 goals last season, which was the second most in the Pacific Division. Their PK% was not good, as they only killed 76.7% of their opponents PP chances while cashing in on less than 20% of their own PP chances.
LW Jared McCann led the way for the Kraken with 70 points on 40 goals and 30 assists. His 40 goals were also good for the team lead. Blueliner Vince Dunn was second on the team with 64 points and led his team with a +/- rating of +28 and 50 assists. RW Jordan Eberle was the only other Seattle player to record more than 60 points, finishing with 63.
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Seasons come and go, so now it’s time to take a look at what we can expect from the Seattle Kraken in 2023-24:
Key Additions/Losses
Seattle did not do anything via the trade market during the offseason but was somewhat active trying to add pieces through free agency. That started with signing Kailer Yamamoto, who was bought out by the Red Wings. Yamamoto posted 25 points in just 58 games for Edmonton last season. They also added a nice depth piece in blueliner Brian Dumoulin, who had a career high 25 points with Pittsburgh a year ago. Seattle also added veteran F Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (13 points, TBL).
C’s Ryan Donato and Morgan Geekie are both headed elsewhere after posting a combined 55 points last season. The biggest loss of the offseason was RW Daniel Sprong, who finished with 46 points in 66 games a season ago. Sprong is joining a much-improved Detroit Red Wings team. G Martin Jones, who appeared in 48 games for Seattle, is also gone, as he headed to another improved Eastern Conference team in the Toronto Maple Leafs.
X-Factors
Matty Beniers- Beniers is one of the key pieces for this franchise going forward, and they will want to continue to see steady improvement from the budding star this season. Perhaps he can break out enough to keep this team relevant again this season.
Goalie Outlook
Philipp Grubauer is slated to be the starting netminder this season for Seattle. He went 17-14-4 last season, allowing 2.85 GA/G and a mere .896 SV%. He was solid in the postseason for the Kraken, but I do not think he will sustain that success across the length of the season.
Grade: C+
Key Schedule Stretch
October 10th- October 30th- The opening month of the season will be a big one for Seattle, with quite a bit of road games. They will open the season on a three-game road trip as they travel to Vegas, Nashville, and Saint Louis before returning home for a three-game stand against gauntlets Colorado, New York Rangers, and Carolina. After that tough homestand, they are on the road again for four games, including dates with Detroit, Carolina, Florida, and Tampa Bay. Could be a very slow start for Seattle.
Notable Odds
*DraftKings Sportsbook
Stanley Cup Champions - +3500
Conference Winner - +1700
Division Winner - +1100
To Make the Playoffs- Yes- -130
Prediction
I do not anticipate this team having the same success as they did last season. I think Calgary will finish ahead of them in the division, though Seattle will still be in the mix for a wild card spot again with the Jets falling off. I expect them to take a step back this season with Jones and Sprong gone. Geekie and Donato were also solid pieces that they will be without. They may need to look to add around the deadline this season if they are wanting to compete in the playoffs. Regardless, I do not see this team as a triple-digit points team this year as they return to earth and barely get more than 90 points this season.
Under 94.5 Team Total Points
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