It is the middle of the NHL summer, and I know that many of us want the leaves to change and the puck to be dropped on the 2024-25 NHL season. As we slowly and painfully reach that point, let's take a look and discuss if the Seattle Kraken have a sustainable roster, or not.
It is a long and strenuous 82-game season, and the Kraken are looking to allow themselves to play even more in the postseason. The only thing standing in the way of that is a grueling Pacific Division and an intense Western Conference. Do the Kraken have a sturdy enough roster to rise above the rest?
You can make an argument if they are strong enough, or if they grabbed all of the best possible new pieces to fit into the Stanley Cup jigsaw puzzle. Additionally, do they have enough talent across the board to round out this roster with no weak links? The new acquisitions of Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson help this roster look a lot better than last season, and it should help the offensive struggles and defensive lapses.
On top of all that, with many key injuries last season causing some turbulence for the Kraken throughout the entirety of the year, can they stay healthy enough to get back to postseason play? The player to look at regarding health has to be the projected backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer, who was hurt a few times last season. Goaltender Joey Daccord will be the starter, but he cannot play 60+ games next season if the Kraken want to make a deep playoff run.
All in all, this roster has a few new faces, and with a new head coach in Dan Byslma, things should turn around. They should be able to sustain themselves for the long run next season, and return to the postseason.