Kraken Post Franchise-Best 9-5-1 Start

Seattle sits third in the Pacific Division after 15 games, but its penalty kill ranks third-worst in the NHL.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Hockey

The Seattle Kraken are 9-5-1 through 15 games, the best start in franchise history. The team's penalty kill, however, is succeeding only 65% of the time, the third-worst mark in the league.

Why it matters

A strong record puts Seattle in contention early, but a leaky penalty kill is a structural weakness that could cost points in tight games. The start comes after a season in which the unit ranked 31st at 72.2%.

Seattle's 9-5-1 start is a franchise best through 15 games, while its 65% penalty kill rate ranks third-worst in the NHL. The source does not establish whether the unit's decline from last season's 72.2% reflects lineup changes or a lasting problem.

The players

Seattle Kraken

An NHL expansion franchise that began play in 2021 and is based in Seattle, Washington.

Ryan Lindgren

A Kraken defenseman signed in the 2025 offseason to strengthen the blue line, who averaged 192 minutes of ice time last season.

Matthew Wood

A forward acquired in the trade that sent Shane Wright to the Nashville Predators, who did not play on the penalty kill in his Kraken debut.

The details

Chandler Stephenson, Berkly Catton, and Kaapo Kakko each have 12 points to lead the team. Defenseman Ryan Lindgren, injured in the October 6 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, was expected to miss four to six weeks and is on track to return soon, while forward Jared McCann is also on the injury report.

October 6: Ryan Lindgren is injured in a game against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Saturday: Seattle faces the New York Rangers, whose power play converts at 18.6%.

Season Trajectory

Seattle's 9-5-1 start is strong, but its penalty kill has not improved on last season's 72.2%, which ranked 31st in the NHL. Special teams weakness of this kind often determines whether early-season records hold in the standings race.

Fantasy managers should note that Chandler Stephenson, Berkly Catton, and Kaapo Kakko each have 12 points to start the year. Lindgren's expected return would restore a top defensive option for Kraken lineups.

The takeaway

A hot start can mask structural problems, and Seattle's penalty kill is the number to watch as the season moves into its heavier stretch. Tracking special teams trends alongside the standings gives a clearer picture of whether the Kraken can sustain their pace.