Through 15 games, how do the Seattle Kraken compare to other NHL expansion teams?
It makes sense, all the Golden Knights comparisons.
Before the Kraken, Vegas was the most recent NHL expansion franchise. Added in 2017-18, the Golden Knights set the standard for expansion teams. They were the first in league history to sweep the first playoff series in their inaugural season and the third to win multiple playoff series.
Vegas ultimately became the third. NHL team to reach the Stanley Cup Final in their first season, following the Toronto Arenas (1918) and the St. Louis Blues (1968). It takes the average professional expansion team 12 years to make the championship round.
So when Seattle joined the league — becoming the 32nd NHL franchise — high expectations naturally followed. In the months leading up to the Kraken’s debut, the same question was asked repeatedly: Can Seattle be the next Vegas?
But just for a moment, let’s take Vegas out of the conversation. Because when it comes down to it, the Golden Knights are the exception, not the rule.
Before Vegas’ inaugural season, the Florida Panthers were the model for modern NHL expansion franchises. They finished 33-34-17 in their inaugural season (1993-94) and narrowly missed a playoff spot by one point. Other than Golden Knights, the only other NHL expansion teams to make the playoffs in their first season were the St. Louis Blues (1967-68), the Edmonton Oilers (1979-80) and Hartford Whalers (1979-80).
Not including the Kraken, there have been 10 NHL franchises added since 1991. Vegas is the only one to finish with a winning record and make the playoffs in its inaugural season. Seattle players have mentioned the history of expansion in passing, more often now that they’ve lost six out of their last seven games.
The Kraken, who have dropped four straight games, are 4-10-1 through their first 15 games of the season. That’s more wins than all but four of the 10 expansion franchises compiled in their first 15 games. Seattle currently has nine points, which puts them nine games out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot.
It’s still early — there are 67 games left on the schedule — but the Kraken are already playing catch-up for a playoff spot. And fairly or not, Vegas’ success means the standards are higher for Seattle. Right now, the uphill climb could look daunting. But that’s why Kraken captain Mark Giordano said the team has to focus on small steps instead of the broader implications.
“You got to look at segments,” Giordano said after Seattle’s 4-2 loss to Minnesota on Saturday. “I think short segments, five games segments. I think our coaches put together segments for us and we got to look at it that way.
“You got to chip away now. There’s no doubt about it. When you’re in our position, you’re going to have to grind and chip away slowly. You’re not going to get that gap all in one night. So game-by-game, but really we just got to focus on doing the things we’re doing right, keep on doing those things but cleaning up, too.”
The Kraken certainly aren’t out of time, but if they want to follow Vegas’ lead and make the playoffs, they’ll have to start turning the season around soon. They have four more home games left in the current home stand, starting with the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.
“Right now, the best for our team is to focus on the present and focus on what we’re doing right now in order to push ourselves out of this,” said head coach Dave Hakstol. “That’s where I want our team’s focus to be. If we start looking at big picture and what’s coming down the road, there will be a time for that. I believe right now it’s time to turn our attention to our next segment, turn our attention to our next game.”
Expansion teams’ inaugural seasons since 1991
Team: San Jose Sharks
Inaugural season: 1991-92
Record: 17-58-5
Points: 39
First 15 games: 1-14
Team: Ottawa Senators
Inaugural season: 1992-93
Record: 10-70-4
Points: 24
First 15 games: 1-13-1
Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
Inaugural season: 1992-93
Record: 23-54-7
Points: 53
First 15 games: 5-8-2
Team: Florida Panthers
Inaugural season: 1993-94
Record: 33-34-17
Points: 83
First 15 games: 5-7-3
Team: Anaheim Ducks
Inaugural season: 1993-94
Record: 33-46-5
Points: 71
First 15 games: 3-10-2
Team: Nashville Predators
Inaugural season: 1998-99
Record: 28-47-7
Points: 63
First 15 games: 6-8-1
Team: Atlanta Thrashers (now Winnipeg Jets)
Inaugural season: 1999-2000
Record: 14-57-7-4
Points: 39
First 15 games: 3-9-2-1
Team: Columbus Blue Jackets
Inaugural season: 2000-01
Record: 29-39-9-6
Points: 71
First 15 games: 3-10-1-1
Team: Minnesota Wild
Inaugural season: 2000-01
Record: 25-39-13-5
Points: 68
First 15 games: 3-9-3
Team: Vegas Golden Knights
Inaugural season: 2017-18
Record: 51-24-7
Points: 109
First 15 games: 9-5-1
Team: Seattle Kraken
Inaugural season: 2021-22
Record: TBD
Points: TBD
First 15 games: 4-10-1
