9/28/26
By Marcus Sledge
Photos by Jenn Thulhu @jennthulhu_photos on Instagram
The Kraken wrapped up a 4-game preseason with a 3-1 record, finishing with plenty of encouraging signs heading into the regular season. Seattle outscored its opponents 15-11 and got meaningful contributions from both veterans and a group of young players pushing for NHL jobs.
Game 1 — Vancouver Canucks, 4-2 Win
Sept. 19 — Climate Pledge Arena
Seattle opened preseason with a 4-2 victory over Vancouver. With the Kraken giving younger players an opportunity to show what they could do, the energy and pace were immediately noticeable.
The game was a good first look at the organization’s next wave, with Alexis Bains, Braeden Cootes and Jacob Melanson among the players making an offensive impact.
Takeaway: The young players came out hungry, and Seattle looked fast from the opening puck drop.
Game 2 — Calgary Flames, 4-2 Win
Sept. 20 — Calgary
Seattle followed it up with another 4-2 victory, sweeping the opening weekend.
Ty Nelson scored for the second straight game, while Jagger Firkus continued to create chances and eventually found the back of the net. Logan Morrison provided the go-ahead goal in the third period, and Jon-Randall Avon added an empty-netter.
Takeaway: This was one of the most encouraging games for Seattle’s prospects. Players weren’t simply surviving against NHL competition—they were creating offense and showing they could play within the team’s system.
Game 3 — Calgary Flames, 4-3 Shootout Win
Sept. 24 — Climate Pledge Arena
This was the preseason game that felt most like a regular-season hockey game.
Seattle fell behind 3-1 before battling back. Brandon Montour and Ryker Evans helped spark the comeback, while Matty Beniers, Berkly Catton and Philipp Grubauer played key roles in the shootout victory.
But the biggest takeaway may have been the physicality. Calgary brought a heavy, physical game, and Seattle didn’t back down.
Takeaway: The Kraken showed some pushback. That’s something worth watching once the games count, particularly for a team trying to establish a harder identity under Lane Lambert.
Game 4 — Vancouver Canucks, 4-3 Loss
Sept. 26 — Vancouver
The final game was the first blemish of the preseason.
Seattle jumped out to an early lead behind goals from Brandon Montour and Bobby McMann. Montour finished with a goal and an assist. After Vancouver tied the game, Berkly Catton put Seattle back ahead early in the third period with a terrific individual effort.
Vancouver eventually rallied, tying the game on a power-play goal before Jake DeBrusk scored the winner late.
Takeaway: Losing the final game wasn’t ideal, but there were still plenty of positives. Seattle’s NHL lineup got a good test against a more veteran Vancouver group, particularly on special teams.
Preseason Wrap-Up: What Stood Out
The record is nice, but the bigger story is what Seattle saw from its young players.
Berkly Catton is knocking on the door
Catton was one of the most intriguing players throughout camp and finished the preseason finale with a goal. His speed, hands and ability to make plays in traffic are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
He looks like a player who wants to make the decision difficult for the coaching staff.
Brandon Montour looks ready
Montour’s performance in Vancouver—one goal and one assist—was another reminder of how important his experience could be. He also played a major role in the physical game against Calgary.
If Seattle is going to take a step forward, Montour is going to be an important piece of that equation.
The Kraken showed some bite
The Calgary game was particularly interesting. Seattle didn’t back away when the game became physical, something Montour specifically highlighted afterward.
That’s the kind of identity that can matter over an 84-game season.
Speed and youth are noticeable
From Firkus and Morrison to Catton and the other prospects competing for roster spots, Seattle’s young players looked comfortable playing fast.
That’s probably the biggest thing I take away from this preseason: there appears to be legitimate competition for jobs.
Final Thoughts
A 3-1 preseason record doesn’t guarantee anything once the regular season begins. But Seattle accomplished what it needed to accomplish.
The veterans got some work. The prospects got an opportunity. The team faced adversity. And against Calgary, the Kraken showed they weren’t afraid to push back physically.
Now the real test begins.
With the regular season opening Thursday in Calgary, Seattle has to take what it showed during these four games—speed, youth, physicality and structure—and carry it into games that actually count.
My biggest preseason thought? This Kraken team feels like it has more energy around it. The young guys are coming, Catton is making noise, and the veterans appear to understand that this season needs to start differently.
The preseason is over. Now it’s time to see if they’re really back.
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