The Athletic: Kraken Don't Check All - Or Even Most - Championship Boxes

At most key positions, the Seattle Kraken fall into the category of "passable, but below the average champion." In other words, the current roster may get you to the playoffs, but not deep into them.

That's according to a formula devised by Shayna Goldman at The Athletic .

Based on 2023-24 performance, Kraken are adjudged to exceed the range of the average Cup winner at only two of 12 categories. One is Vince Dunn as an "Elite Defenseman." The other is Shane Wright as a "Top Six Forward," though Goldman acknowledges it's based on a small sample size.

More concerning, when the formula projects future performance, the Kraken don't show a gold "Exceed" checkmark in any of the 12 categories. In fact, the only players rated "Passable" are defensemen Dunn and Ryker Evans, forward Oliver Bjorkstrand, and goalie Joey Daccord.

Every other category gets a red "X" for falling entirely below championship range. That includes Matty Beniers in the category "Elite Center," Jared McCann as "Elite Winger," and Adam Larsson as "No. 1 Defenseman." Even Wright is projected to fall from "Exceed" to "Below" as a top-six forward.

The formula isn't meant to indicate that any of the players mentioned aren't NHL-caliber. Instead, it attempts to rank them relative to rosters which have won the Stanley Cup in recent years.

"Despite showing defensive promise, Beniers didn’t bring the heat offensively, which is why his actual value falls short of projections," Goldman writes in her analysis. "There’s still star potential here, and there could be even more depending on whether Shane Wright becomes a lineup regular.

"Wright’s actual value is a huge standout here, but the checklist overemphasizes the few NHL games he’s played. His projected value, on the other hand, is a bit of an underestimate."

Before their breakout second season, many Kraken players said they were fueled by doubts about them from hockey observers. If this The Athletic column is any indication, Seattle players returning for Season 4 will have plenty to refill their tank.

Goldman doesn't disagree. "The Kraken haven’t had the splashiest approach over the last few years, but adding a bit more oomph to the lineup and a new coach could be what this team needs to kick it up a notch."