The Seattle Kraken entered 2025 searching for consistency, direction, and identity. As the calendar year comes to an end, the franchise has experienced sweeping leadership changes, roster reshaping, and flashes of competitiveness that hinted at what the future could hold.
The MVP of 2025
There’s no debate here, Joey Daccord was the Kraken’s best player in 2025.
Night after night, Daccord kept Seattle competitive in games that could have easily gotten away early. Behind an inconsistent defensive group and frequent lineup changes, he delivered strong performances, timely saves, and a level of reliability the team often lacked elsewhere.
If Seattle stayed afloat for long stretches of the year, Daccord was the reason. His play solidified him as a cornerstone moving forward and one of the most important pieces of the roster.
Who joined the team and who is still here?
Seattle's additions in 2025 were both a mix of short-term fits and long-term bets.
Ryan Lindgren was brought in to add toughness and defensive stability, while also opening trade options for the Kraken's defense core. He helped address the need of a defensive defensemen the Kraken so badly needed.
Frederick Gaudreau joined the forward group to provide depth and fill a hole of a two-way player down the lines.
Lane Lambert and Jason Botterill both joined the staff and are hopefully here to stay in the near future. It is never a good thing to see organizational change year after year.
Not every addition was meant to be permanent, but each reflected Seattle’s willingness to adjust and experiment with the roster.
Notable transactions in 2025
March 5, 2025: Acquired C Michael Eyssimont, a 2025 second-round pick, a 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick in a three-team trade with Detroit from Tampa Bay Lightning for RW Oliver Bjorkstrand, C Yanni Gourde, a 2026 fifth-round pick and D Kyle Aucoin.
March 7, 2025: Acquired a 2027 second-round pick from Winnipeg Jets for LW Brandon Tanev.
April 8, 2025: Signed C Nathan Villeneuve to a three-year, entry-level contract.
May 27, 2025: Signed D Tyson Jugnauth to a three-year, entry-level contract.
May 28, 2025: Signed C/RW John Hayden to a two-year contract extension worth $775,000 AAV.
May 30, 2025: Signed D Josh Mahura to a two-year contract extension worth $907,500 AAV.
June 2, 2025: Signed C Ben Meyers to a one-year contract extension worth $775,000 AAV.
June 19, 2025: Acquired C/LW Mason Marchment from Dallas in exchange for a 2025 fourth round pick and a 2026 third round pick.
June 20, 2025: Signed D Cale Fleury to a two-year contract worth $890,000 AAV
June 21, 2025: Acquired F Joe Veleno from Chicago Blackhawks for F Andre Burakovsky.
June 26, 2025: Acquired C Frederick Gaudreau from the Minnesota Wild for 2025 fourth-round pick.
July 1, 2025: Signed free agent D Ryan Lindgren to a four-year contract worth $4.5M AAV.
July 5, 2025: Signed LW Tye Kartye to a two-year contract worth $1.25M AAV.
July 22, 2025: Signed RW Kaapo Kakko to a three-year contract worth $4.525M AAV.
August 11, 2025: Signed D Ryker Evans to a two-year contract worth $2.05 AAV.
September 4, 2025: Acquired C/LW Jon-Randall Avon from Philadelphia Flyers for C Tucker Robertson.
December 19, 2025: Acquired a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft from the Blue Jackets in exchange for Mason Marchment.
The 2025 NHL Draft
The Kraken added fresh talent through the 2025 NHL Draft, selecting a mix of forwards and defensemen to strengthen their prospect pipeline.
Round 1, Pick 8: C Jake O'Brien (Brantford Bulldogs)
Round 2, Pick 36 (via PHI): D Blake Fiddler (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Round 3, Pick 68 (via PHI): D Will Reynolds (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Round 5, Pick 134: D Maxim Agafonov (Tolpar Ufa)
While these players might be a couple seasons away from seeing true NHL time, I am very optimistic about the development of Jake O'Brien and Blake Fiddler.
Coaching and front office changes
April 21, 2025: Dan Bylsma fired after just one season with the team.
May 29, 2025: Lane Lambert hired as new Head Coach.
April 22, 2025: Ron Francis is promoted to President of Hockey Operations
April 22, 2025: Jason Botterill named General Manager.
What 2025 means for the Seattle Kraken
Viewed through the lens of a full calendar year, 2025 tells the story of a franchise in transition.
Each contract, trade, and leadership change reflected an ongoing evaluation process as the Kraken worked to establish stability and long-term direction. While results on the ice varied, the decisions made throughout the year set the stage for what comes next.
With 2025 in the books, the question now becomes: what’s to come for the Kraken in 2026?