Predicting the Kraken’s 2024-25 Stats Leaders

While we wait for the NHL regular season to start in October, fans are frothing at the mouth for what September brings: training camp, exhibition games, and roster decisions. Given that the Seattle Kraken’s roster seems mostly complete (they have but $4,286 in cap space), it’s time to make some predictions. Who will lead the club in the major statistical categories this season? Here’s a look.

Who Will Lead the Kraken in Points

Consider that in 2023-24, the highest-ranked Kraken was Jared McCann. His 62 points were tied for 82nd in the NHL. Players from clubs that experienced disastrous seasons appear just after him – the Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard ranked 84^th, and San Jose Sharks’ Mikael Granlund was 88^th). That’s a harsh truth. The 2022-23 season was much better for McCann, who tallied 70 points, which ranked…59^th – perhaps not “much better,” but better nevertheless. 

Given that the Stratford, Ontario native has been the most reliable point-getter on Seattle’s roster, the real question is: can anyone beat him? To further emphasize how little the forwards are contributing, two seasons ago, defenseman Vince Dunn finished second with 64 points to McCann’s 70. Last season, Oliver Bjorkstrand finished just behind McCann, with Dunn in third, but Dunn missed 23 games due to various injuries and still came in third. What gives McCann the edge is his ability to score goals and create opportunities for teammates. If he’s not putting the puck in the net, we can be sure that he assisted on someone else’s goal. 

There must be people in the cozy offices at Climate Pledge Arena hoping that, if anyone surpasses McCann, it will be Matty Beniers. The 21-year-old is entering his third full NHL campaign and won the Calder Trophy in 2023 as rookie of the year, but his production dropped in 2023-24. He is now fresh off signing a seven-year deal worth a penny shy of $50 million. We’ll see if he’s the squad’s best weapon, but he’s getting paid as if he is. Until proven otherwise, McCann will take this crown.

Who Will Lead the Kraken in Goals

Bjorkstrand might give McCann a run for his money in this category. He’s potted 20 goals in each of the past two campaigns and was voted to the NHL All-Star festivities last season. He has a nose for the net, even though no one does a double-take over a 20-goal season. His best season was his final one with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021-22 when he netted 28.

He is capable of flirting with 30 goals, but the right linemates are necessary. To be fair, the whole team needs to get out of its offensive rut. But good vibes are contagious, so who knows what might happen if the squad finds momentum. By the way, Bjorkstrand suffered an injury during the Olympic qualifiers with the Danish national squad. Thankfully, general manager Ron Francis stated that the Dane should recover in time for training camp.