Kraken Forward Ryan Winterton Steps Away: Here's What We Know
The Seattle Kraken announced Monday that forward Ryan Winterton is taking a temporary leave of absence to handle a family matter. No additional details will be shared, the team said in a statement. It's one of those moments where hockey takes a backseat, and you just respect a player's privacy and wish him well.
A Breakout Season Cut Short
This is tough timing because Winterton, 22, was having the best year of his career. He's played in 62 games this season, a career high, and posted career highs with four goals and 14 assists. After putting up 19 games across the previous two seasons, Winterton had finally cracked the lineup and found his groove with the team. Just last month, the Kraken locked him up with a two-year extension through the 2027-28 season, signaling serious faith in his future.
General manager Jason Botterill spelled it out perfectly when the extension was announced: "He's been able to carve out a role on this team with his speed and strong two-way game. We're excited to have him under contract through the 2027-28 season." The kid was building something real here in Seattle.
Kraken in Playoff Hunt Without Him
The timing stings because the Kraken are in the thick of a playoff race. Right now, Seattle trails the Nashville Predators by four points for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The good news: the Kraken have 13 games left to play and hold one game in hand on Nashville. It's still totally winnable, but losing a player like Winterton, especially one who's been contributing at a career pace, makes things tighter down the stretch.
Here's hoping whatever Winterton needs to handle gets resolved quickly and smoothly. The team will figure it out without him for now, but you know they'll be glad to have him back when he's ready. This is bigger than hockey right now.
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about Ryan Winterton.
View X conversation →🔮 Trade Seattle Sports on Kalshi
Did you know you can trade on Seattle sports outcomes on Kalshi, the only federally regulated prediction market in the US? Kalshi is available in Washington state. Bet on Seahawks games, Mariners season outcomes, Kraken playoff runs, and more. No sportsbook account needed.
💰 Limited offer: Get a FREE $10 when you sign up!
👉 Sign up at Kalshi.com and use promo code SEATTLEONTAP to claim your free $10.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.