Tim Booth, Kraken beat writer
Record: 40-30-12, 92 points
Playoffs?: Miss playoffs
There’s a line in Pearl Jam’s song “Long Road” that to me fits this Kraken lineup: “But still something’s missing, cannot say.” Seattle feels like a team that’s one piece short. The additions of Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour are significant, but this is still a roster that lacks an offensive star capable of creating a goal when it’s needed. Maybe Matty Beniers or Shane Wright becomes that player. For now, it’s a glaring void that I think will cost Seattle just enough to improve from last season but still miss out on the playoffs.
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Tony Guadagnoli, sports copy editor
Record: 42-30-10, 94 points
Playoffs?: Western conference wild card
The Kraken should score more with the additions of Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour. New coach Dan Bylsma got plenty of scoring from his Coachella Valley teams. Can he do the same with the Kraken? If Matty Beniers returns to his rookie form and Shane Wright has a breakout season, they should make the playoffs.
Nathan Joyce, assistant sports editor
Record: 44-28-10, 98 points
Playoffs?: Western conference wild card
The combination of big-money free-agent acquisitions and young talent improving with another year of seasoning should be enough to get the Kraken back in the playoffs. Besides, they can’t possibly be that bad at scoring again this year, right? Right?
Kate Shefte, Kraken beat reporter
Record: 42-31-9, 93 points
Playoffs?: Western Conference wild card
The Kraken find their footing and get off to a solid start under Dan Bylsma, but they go through some rough patches. Someone else in the division falters and they’re locked together to the bitter end. The Kraken are a point in or out, and I’m calling … in.
Mike Vorel, sports columnist
Record: 45-29-8, 98 points
Playoffs?: Western conference wild card
The Kraken bet big on a pair of offseason signings, Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson, to complement an existing core and help return this team to the postseason. Add those two to a steady stock of veterans (Jared McCann, Vince Dunn, Jordan Eberle, Oliver Bjorkstrand, etc.), an encouraging youth movement (Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, Ryker Evans) and an ascending goaltender in Joey Daccord, and the Kraken should sneak into the playoffs in Dan Bylsma’s debut.
The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.