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Since dropping their inaugural puck in October 2021, the Seattle Kraken have already created moments that will live forever in Pacific Northwest sports lore. This expansion franchise arrived with sky-high expectations and a city desperate to reclaim its place among the NHL's elite markets, and they've delivered heart-stopping drama, stunning individual performances, and the kind of magical nights that remind us why we love hockey in the first place. From unforgettable debuts to playoff heroics and breakout seasons, the Kraken's young history is already packed with treasures worth celebrating. Here are the 10 greatest moments that have defined the franchise's first few years and captured the imagination of a passionate fanbase.
10. Philipp Grubauer's Historic First Season Performance
When the Kraken selected Philipp Grubauer in the 2021 Expansion Draft, they inherited not just a goaltender but a proven winner with Stanley Cup experience. Grubauer's inaugural season in Seattle was nothing short of remarkable, as he delivered 22 wins and established himself as the steady hand between the pipes that an expansion team desperately needed. His ability to steal games single-handedly during crucial stretches gave the Kraken belief that they could compete despite being a brand-new franchise learning to play together. Grubauer's poise under pressure and technical brilliance made him a constant bright spot during the team's growing pains, and his performance earned him serious consideration for Vezina Trophy honors. He became the face of Kraken goaltending and proved that smart roster construction could yield immediate dividends, even for an expansion team entering the toughest league in the world.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| First Season Wins | 22 |
| Goals Against Average | 2.96 |
| Save Percentage | .914 |
| Games Played | 50 |
9. Jordan Eberle's Three-Goal Breakout Game
Jordan Eberle arrived in Seattle with a wealth of playoff experience and the kind of veteran presence that young franchises crave, but his most electrifying performance came in a statement-making three-goal performance that announced the Kraken's growing offensive firepower. Eberle's ability to find the back of the net with precision and timing has been central to the team's identity, and on his biggest nights, he's reminded fans why he's been a reliable scorer throughout his NHL career. His veteran savvy and leadership have made him invaluable in the locker room, serving as both a productive player and a mentor to younger talent learning how to succeed at the professional level. Eberle embodied the Kraken's commitment to adding proven scorers who could help the team accelerate past the typical expansion timeline, and his contributions have been felt far beyond the stat sheet.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Goals with Kraken | 35+ |
| Career Assists with Kraken | 35+ |
| Seasons with Seattle | 3 |
| Stanley Cup Appearances | 3 |
8. Vince Dunn's First-Year Offensive Explosion
Vince Dunn's arrival in Seattle sparked immediate offensive contributions that helped accelerate the Kraken's competitive window in ways few could have predicted. The talented young winger brought dynamic speed and finishing ability to the roster, combining his youth and upside with consistent production that made him one of the team's most reliable scorers from day one. Dunn's willingness to engage in high-danger areas and his chemistry with teammates created scoring opportunities that often went beyond his individual point totals. His presence on the roster demonstrated the Kraken's commitment to building through a mix of proven veterans and ascending young talent, creating a sustainable core for years to come. Dunn's early success gave the franchise real hope that they could compete sooner rather than later in their expansion journey.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| First Season Points | 45+ |
| Career Goals with Kraken | 30+ |
| Career Assists with Kraken | 35+ |
| Seasons with Seattle | 3 |
7. Climate Pledge Arena's Inaugural Game Atmosphere
The moment the Seattle Kraken took the ice at Climate Pledge Arena for their very first game was a watershed moment for a city that had waited over a decade for professional hockey's return to the Emerald City. The electric energy that filled the building was palpable, with nearly 18,000 passionate fans creating an atmosphere that immediately established one of the NHL's most intimidating home arenas. That inaugural contest wasn't just a game—it was a coronation, a declaration that Seattle was back and that hockey belonged here just as much as basketball, football, and baseball. The roar that greeted every Kraken rush, every clean hit, every save was a full-throated endorsement from a fanbase that had been starved for professional hockey for too long. That opening night proved that Seattle's passionate sports culture hadn't diminished; it had simply been waiting for the right moment to explode back to life.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | October 23, 2021 |
| Attendance | 17,959 |
| Arena Capacity | 18,000+ |
| Opponent | Vegas Golden Knights |
6. Matty Beniers' Dominant Rookie Playoff Push
Matty Beniers stepped into professional hockey with the kind of poise and maturity that made you wonder if he'd been playing against grown men his entire career, and his rookie season playoff performances elevated him from prospect to bona fide NHL player almost overnight. The University of Michigan product brought a completeness to his game that belied his relative inexperience, combining elite skating, hockey intelligence, and a relentless work ethic that endeared him to coaches and teammates alike. Beniers' ability to impact the game in ways that transcended the traditional stat sheet—his positioning, his penalty killing, his clutch moments—made him an invaluable part of the Kraken's push during crucial games. For Seattle fans who had watched him develop in the college ranks and eagerly awaited his arrival, Beniers has already delivered on the enormous promise that made him a top-ten pick. His presence in the lineup has been a genuine source of pride for Emerald City hockey fans who recognize they're watching the development of a generational talent right before their eyes.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Rookie Season Games | 50+ |
| Rookie Season Points | 24+ |
| Draft Position | 2nd Overall (2021) |
| Hometown | Farmington Hills, Michigan |
5. Matty Beniers' Homecoming Hero Performance
There's something transcendent about watching a young homegrown talent arrive in your city's NHL arena and immediately prove he belongs among the league's elite players, and that's precisely what Matty Beniers has delivered night after night for the Seattle Kraken faithful. The Michigan native hasn't just met expectations—he's exceeded them in ways that have made Kraken Nation fall absolutely in love with his game and his character. Whether it's his sublime one-touch passes threading through traffic, his ability to win crucial defensive battles, or his willingness to throw his body in front of shots when games hang in the balance, Beniers embodies everything the franchise dreamed of when they envisioned their future. Seattle fans have watched him grow from prospect to star, and there's a genuine connection between the young superstar and the Pacific Northwest that extends well beyond mere statistics. Beniers represents the Kraken's future, but more importantly, he represents what this franchise has always believed about itself—that it could attract and develop elite talent while building something special in a hockey-mad city.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| 2023-24 Season Points | 45+ |
| Career Goals | 20+ |
| Assists | 30+ |
| Plus-Minus (2023-24) | +15 |
4. Matty Beniers' Signature Playoff Game Winner
In the annals of great Kraken moments, few will be more precious than the night Matty Beniers etched his name in franchise history by potting a clutch goal when it mattered most during a critical playoff contest. The moment embodied everything special about the young star—his composure, his skill, his absolute refusal to let moments overwhelm him when the pressure was at its highest. Climate Pledge Arena erupted in a way that reminded everyone watching that Seattle hockey culture runs deep, that this franchise had found something genuinely special in their homegrown talent. For a city that had waited over a decade for professional hockey's return, watching one of your own step up and deliver playoff heroics felt like validation of the entire enterprise. That goal will be replayed countless times, a crystalline moment that defined not just Beniers' early Kraken career but the franchise's emergence as a genuine playoff contender.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Playoff Games | 15+ |
| Playoff Points | 8+ |
| Playoff Goals | 2+ |
| Average Ice Time (Playoffs) | 18:00+ |
3. The Kraken's First Playoff Appearance
The moment the Seattle Kraken clinched their first-ever playoff berth, the franchise shifted from promising expansion team to legitimate NHL contender, and the emotional release that gripped the entire Pacific Northwest was palpable. After years of waiting for professional hockey to return to the region, fans finally got to experience that special playoff intensity that separates the pretenders from the genuinely competitive franchises. The path to the postseason wasn't easy—it required patience, resilience, and a genuine commitment to winning hockey that extended far beyond the opening months of the season. Making the playoffs as an expansion team is extraordinarily difficult, and the Kraken's achievement placed them among an elite group of franchises who had managed the feat in their inaugural or near-inaugural years. That playoff birth represented more than just basketball success; it represented validation that Seattle belonged in the NHL and that the rabid fanbase would support professional hockey with the same passion they'd shown for the Sounders, Seahawks, and Mariners.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| First Playoff Year | 2022-23 Season |
| Regular Season Points | 91 |
| Games Played | 82 |
| Points Per Game | 1.11 |