(For the record there was literally no other title I could have chosen for this first blog)
I am incredibly excited to officially reveal myself as the new blogger for the Seattle Kraken. First off I would like to thank the head honcho’s here at HockeyBuzz for this opportunity to build a following for the 32nd NHL team from the ground up. Oilers fans don't worry I will still be your blogger as well.
This is a chance for thousands of people to fall in love with a brand new franchise and create some great memories. From seeing ______ score the first Kraken goal, to taking that first date to a game, to that first beer after their first win. I’m looking forward to experiencing all these moments alongside all of you. I’ll keep my distance from your first date though, don’t worry.
The purpose of expansion is to bring in a new market to the game of hockey. Of course I expect to see many people from Seattle and the surrounding area here falling in love with their new local sports team. Fans of the Seahawks should stop by and learn a thing or two about hockey and in return I will even listen to you talk about your football team. I’ve never been an avid NFL fan but I hear this Rusty Wilson guy is pretty good. The Seahawks might have the “12th man… but I’m looking forward to seeing the fans at the Climate Pledge arena becoming the “7th man.…
I’m also looking forward to the time when fans up north in the Vancouver area can make the quick trip over the border and attend games in Seattle. Adding a bit of Canadian flair always makes for a better atmosphere. Plus there is the added anticipation on seeing which team wins a Cup first; the Canucks or Kraken?
For fans of existing teams, I invite you all to consider the Kraken to become your second team. We have the best water creature based team name in the league; you heard me Penguins, Ducks, and Sharks.
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So, what can you expect from me for reading material over the next few months? Obviously we will spend plenty of time discussing the Expansion Draft. I won’t get into all the details now but I am going to be asking for help from the fans of the other 30 teams that will be participating in expansion for their help. Expect many different iterations of the draft list as the year progresses.
We will also be looking across other leagues around the world for players that could choose to make their NHL debut with the Seattle Kraken. From the WHL to the KHL there are always names that slip between the cracks and could be primed to be snatched by the Kraken. General Manager Ron Francis and his staff will need to start putting in the leg work.
Then of course there is the matter of who the first head coach for this Seattle team will be. Could we see Gerard Gallant once again step into the role of HC for an expansion team? Mike Babcock? A fresh new face?
The possibilities with this franchise are currently limitless and that is exciting. Expectations might be overly high right out of the gates, seeing what Vegas was able to accomplish in their first year. General Managers are going to be far more cautious giving up assets to protect players in expansion and I don’t see Florida gifting Seattle two-thirds of their top line like they did for the Golden Knights. On the flip side, a flat-cap will be advantageous for a Seattle team with cap space to spare and Francis can take on less favorable contracts in exchange for top end draft picks and more. We have months to break down the options that exist across the league.
Together we are building a fanbase and I want to include all of you in the process here at HockeyBuzz. Please come say hello in the comments section and tell me what you’re looking most forward to about the Kraken’s inaugural season. DM me any blog topics you want to hear about and make sure to follow me on Twitter for more Kraken related news.
I look forward to SEAing you all soon!