The 10 best players from each NHL team: Seattle Kraken

Brandon Montour is an important player in Seattle. The Kraken brought him in to add stability to their defense, but so far, the results haven’t been there yet.

However, Montour has what it takes to help this club on the ice. He’s responsible in all three zones, he’s capable of hitting, and he proved his offensive value while playing in Florida.

Will he be able to become even more crucial in Seattle? That’s what the Kraken hope… And if the wants to be successful on the ice, Montour must step up and give more to his team. He’s not the one who’s going to bring the Stanley Cup to Seattle, but seeing him start to dominate can certainly help.

Kaapo Kakko got traded to Seattle with plenty to prove after his time with the New York Rangers. Once considered one of the brightest young prospects in the world, his career hasn’t quite taken off the way many expected.

Still, the Kraken see upside in his size, skill, and ability to protect the puck, and they believe a fresh start could help unlock his true potential.

Kakko has the tools to become a reliable top-six forward, especially if he can find chemistry with Seattle’s other young talents. His mix of physical strength and offensive instincts gives him a unique profile, one that the Kraken hope can flourish in a different environment. For Kakko, this season feels like an important turning point — a chance to finally show he belongs among the league’s more impactful forwards.

Jordan Eberle wears the “C” on his jersey for a reason. He’s the undisputed leader of his team, having been there since the very beginning of the franchise’s creation.

And he has NHL experience, having played over 1,060 career games. Needless to say, the guys respect him in the locker room…

Eberle has slowed down in recent years, however. He’s no longer the offensive player he once was, but he’s still capable of helping out offensively when needed. The Kraken will need him to achieve greater success. As the team leader, he has to show the way to others… and he has the talent to do it, even at 35.

There’s one word to describe Jared McCann: consistency. Over the past four seasons, the center—who can also play on the wings—has averaged 60 points per year.

And he even scored 40 goals during the 2022-23 season! His name circulated this summer in trade rumors, but everything indicates he’ll start next season in Seattle.

But by producing a strong offensive season, he can help the Kraken win more games… because offensive players like him are capable of changing a game single-handedly. Without him, the Kraken can’t even hopeabout the playoffs.  

Jaden Schwartz has been a key piece of the Seattle Kraken since their early days, bringing veteran leadership and a strong two-way game to the lineup. While he may not produce offense at the same clip he once did in his prime with St. Louis, Schwartz continues to play an important role thanks to his consistency, reliability, and ability to show up in big moments.

He is the kind of player every team needs — someone who works hard on both sides of the puck, battles in the corners, and sets an example for younger teammates through his effort and professionalism.

Injuries have slowed him down at times, but when healthy, Schwartz provides steady secondary scoring and defensive responsibility. For Seattle, his presence on and off the ice remains invaluable.

Chandler Stephenson has the reputation of being one of the most versatile forwards in the NHL, and he’s living up to that billing. Stephenson can play up and down the lineup, whether it’s centering a scoring line or providing reliable depth minutes. That kind of flexibility is incredibly valuable for a team like the Kraken, who rely on balance throughout their roster rather than just a few stars.

He’s capable of producing offensively, using his quickness and playmaking vision, but he’s also dependable defensively, trusted in key matchups and penalty-killing situations.

Seattle brought him in to help solidify their forward group, and his championship experience makes him a strong presence in the locker room as well. For the Kraken, Stephenson represents the type of player who can quietly make a major difference in their push for playoff success.

At just 22 years old, Matty Beniers has established himself as one of the NHL’s top young players. He had a superb first season in Seattle… but he’s slowed down in the last two years.

Will he be able to regain his offensive production from 22-23 (57 points, including 24 goals, in 80 games)? If that happens, if McCann produces as well as he can, and if other Kraken players step up, the club will have a chance of making the playoffs.

That would be a good thing, considering the Kraken missed the spring tournament the last two NHL seasons… Oh, and it’s also worth mentioning that Beniers has the talent to become the face of this franchise. But he’ll have to give more for that to happen.