Hot off the press, it is time to look back at last season’s Seattle Kraken performances, and give them a letter grade. The first one I want to grade is arguably the best player on the Kraken roster last season, Jared McCann. The 28-year-old set some new career-highs last season, and led the squad in a number of different categories.
In his third season since coming over to the Kraken in their inaugural season, McCann has been a main fixture for them. He has become a leader in the locker room, coming a long way from his unsteady beginnings in Vancouver. McCann has made it a mission to try and help the younger guys on this team, as others did for him in his first few seasons in the NHL.
Season Recap
Appearing in 80 games last season, McCann had 29 goals, which included a career-best nine powerplay goals, and added another career-high in assists with 33. He led the Kraken in points with 62, which is among the league-worst in terms of highest point total per team.
McCann also did his part in getting the puck on net, by setting another career-best in shots on goal with 216. That was also good enough to lead the Kraken this season.
Grade: B+
Let’s be perfectly clear, the 2023-24 Seattle Kraken did not feature any players with an A grade. McCann had the highest grade on this team, and it was only good enough for a B+. I'll tell you why.
Even though he was the best player on the ice for the Kraken, it does not excuse the fact that he, along with the rest of this roster, didn’t produce enough to win more games and make the playoffs.
McCann did the best he could, I'm sure, but that just isn't good enough when your leading goal scorer didn’t even crack 30 goals on the season. Going into next season, it is imperative that the Kraken rise up from scoring the 29th most goals in the NHL. McCann can certainly be a major part in that.