Who Should Have Their Number Retired First by the Seattle Kraken?
This brand-new franchise may soon be discussing who will have their number lifted to the rafters of Climate Pledge Arena. But, who might it be?
As the newest expansion team in the National Hockey League, it is time to try and figure out who might be the first member of the Seattle Kraken to have their number retired. This likely won't be for a very long time, but it is still fun to try and guess who it should be.
Let's make some guesses.
Jared McCann
This one should be obvious. The current all-time goals and points leader should be good enough to put Jared McCann's #19 jersey into the rafters of Climate Change Arena. Furthermore, he is currently the best player on the roster and might be for some time going forward.
McCann has a ton of time left, and hopefully, it will all be spent with the Kraken. At 27 years old, he is entering his prime years, and with a solid team around him that got a lot stronger this offseason, he can continue to grow the franchise records. If he can retire with the Kraken, and lift a Stanley Cup or two, there is no doubt that McCann should be the first player retired in franchise history.
Matty Beniers
This guess has a chance to go either way. and both of them are considered extremes. Either Matty Beniers will be the best player to ever put on the Kraken sweater, or he will be the biggest bust in franchise history. There is no in-between.
Beniers has given the Kraken their first piece of hardware in their history by winning the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2022-23. He should be able to add to that with plenty of other gracious awards, like the Art Ross or the Hart trophy. If he cannot live up to that kind of expectations, he will be considered a bust of a second-overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft.
A Player Not on the Current Roster
This franchise is so new and so raw, that it may be a very long time for them to even consider anyone as worthy enough to have their number retired. The first Kraken player to have their number raised to the rafters of Climate Pledge Arena, may not be on the current roster, in the NHL currently, or maybe even born yet.
Who do you think will be the first Kraken player to have their number retired?
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