The Seattle Kraken’s 2025-26 season is already off to a terrible start without the first puck even dropping.
The Seattle Kraken got awful news regarding top-line winger Kaapo Kakko. Kakko left a preseason game last Tuesday with a suspected upper-body injury. The injury fears were confirmed when it was revealed Kakko had suffered a broken hand.
The injury isn’t severe. But Kakko is expected to miss roughly six weeks. That’s the first six weeks of the season. That’s a devastating blow to a Kraken team that’s looking to exceed expectations.
Thus far, the belief is that the Kraken will be in the bottom third of the league. Odds are the Kraken will be in the running for top-five lottery pick. While that may be enticing considering the 2026 NHL Draft crop, it’s an awful prospect for Kraken fans.
Seattle has made the playoffs just once in its existence, and has gradually gone from bad to worse. Yes, the Kraken have some solid pieces. But it will be up to new coach Lane Lambert to get the most out of his team.
Kakko joined the Kraken last season in a trade with the New York Rangers. Kakko had seemingly worn the Rangers’ patience a little thin. The club had essentially given up on the former second-overall pick.
The Kraken found an opportunity to add a top-six forward at a reasonable price point. Kakko ended up playing well in Seattle. He scored 10 goals and totaled 30 points in 49 games. This season, the expectation for the 24-year-old Finn is to top his career high of 44 points set last season between the Rangers and Kraken.
Kraken dealing with injury bug beyond ahead of season opener
The Kraken have been dealing with a nasty case of the injury bug this fall. In addition to Kakko, top-line forward Jared McCann is hurt. According to the club, McCann is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. It doesn’t sound serious, but it could limit the action McCann sees heading into Opening Night.
Also, center Chandler Stephenson is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. He left last Tuesday’s game. The injury doesn’t appear to be significant. But like McCann, there’s no telling how much it could limit him heading into the start of the season.
Meanwhile, top blueliner Brandon Montour is still recovering from ankle surgery. The team indicated he would miss roughly two weeks of camp. He’s still questionable for the Kraken’s Opening Night roster.
All told, the Kraken could have as many as four regulars missing from their Opening Night roster. That situation could make the team’s start to the season somewhat challenging. Here’s hoping everyone gets back into the lineup sooner rather than later.