Only a short amount of time is left before the Seattle Kraken take the ice for the 2024-25 season. With that said, we are starting to see what the first definitive look at the roster looks like for next season. There are still a lot of questions about the roster, and if this team could make it back to the playoffs this upcoming season, and remain sustainable for years to come, there is some concern there.
The concern is that the Kraken have the seventh oldest team in the NHL, at 29.8 years of age on average. Is the window closing for this current roster? Should they move toward a youth movement, that may include a bull-blown rebuild? Let's take a look.
Windows Closing?
The Kraken have a solid squad going into 2024-25. There have been some new acquisitions added this offseason that should significantly improve their standing from a year ago. But, with many of their stars being in the prime, to twilight, of their careers, is the window closing on a sustainable team that can make it back to the postseason every season?
As I mentioned, the Kraken have the seventh-oldest roster in the NHL, at just shy of 30 years old, as the average age on this team. Of the six teams ahead of them in average age, three of them are from the Western Conference, with the Edmonton Oilers being the only other team from the Pacific Division.
The oldest member of the Kraken is forward Jordan Eberle, at 34 years old. He is followed by Philipp Grubauer, Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev at 33 years old. Newly acquired members from this offseason, Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson are both 30-years-old as well. Hockey players last a while in the NHL if they can stay healthy, but their game does eventually slow down.
With that said, the window may be closing on this current roster. If this year does not go the way that many believe it will go, a rebuild may be looming. There is a plethora of young talent on this roster, with Matty Beniers and Shane Wright being the leaders of that youth movement. If the 2024-25 season goes in the wrong direction, those older players mentioned above may be replaced with young bloods.
Do you think the 2024-25 season is do-or-die for the Kraken's future?