Kraken’s start doesn’t look to be sustainable with lack of star power

One of the top teams in the Western Conference thus far is one that many didn’t expect a whole lot from this season. Yet, some think the Seattle Kraken’s strong start won’t last very long.

The Kraken have been playing some great hockey in the first month or so of the regular season. They’ve rattled off back-to-back wins, including a 5-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets last week, and currently sit third in the Pacific Division. Yet, with a cast of characters that have had secondary roles on other teams, some think the team’s success isn’t sustainable due to an absence of star talent.

On Tuesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Carter Hutton explained why the Kraken’s solid beginning to the 2025-26 season won’t carry through the depths of January due to the team’s lack of big-name players.

Carter Hutton: I say this tongue-in-cheek, because I love them and I have a lot of relationships with players there, but it’s the Seattle Kraken for me. I just look at this team and their depth and where they’re at. You look at their scoring, you know Jaden Schwartz is having a great year, he’s 33 years old, set to be a UFA. Jordan Eberle, 35 years old, is second in scoring on the team. Where are your stars? Where are your guys who are going to be your difference makers? I know they signed those big contracts when you talk about Chandler Stephenson, Brandon Montour, and I don’t think those are going to age well.

I just don’t see this being sustainable in Seattle. When you look at the star power when we go through the rosters and we go through what it takes to win in the NHL, I just don’t see it here. I think they play well as a team. There is depth there, but I just think there’s a ceiling above this team, and I think that they’re hitting it.

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…