We have a 32nd NHL nickname. NHL Seattle has announced they will be known as the Seattle Kraken from this point forward. The chosen name ultimately won out over options such as the Metropolitans, Renegades, Totems, and Sockeyes. The team announced the final decision on Thursday.
A legend from the deep awakens.
Meet the Seattle Kraken → https://t.co/to5BtVVPh1 pic.twitter.com/FQfOdaiGQQ
— Seattle Kraken (@NHLSeattle_) July 23, 2020
NHL Seattle Will be Called Seattle Kraken
This is one of the final steps before Seattle takes the ice for the 2021-22 season. They will play at Climate Pledge Arena. The stadium formerly known as KeyArena will open in June 2021. Ron Francis was named general manager last summer. The team also announced that its AHL affiliate would be located in Palm Springs, California.
The new nickname will certainly drive significant opportunities for merchandising and promotion. It conjures up images of the sea and fishing, both iconic features of living in the Pacific Northwest. It perhaps doesn’t capture everyone’s imagination; some would have like a more local feel or one with more “energy” but it is notable and unique at a time when teams are keen to separate themselves in terms of branding.
The Next Step for NHL Seattle
The expansion draft is the next major event coming up for NHL Seattle. The newest NHL franchise will have the same favourable rules as the Vegas Golden Knights did in its 2017 Expansion Draft. Teams will protect either seven forwards, three defencemen and one goalie or eight skaters of any sort and one goalie before the draft. The team will be able to print jerseys and team memorabilia with the player names once the draft has taken place.
This is an exciting team for the new Seattle franchise. A nickname makes things feel more concrete and it will bring in fans far more quickly now that they know how to cheer for their new team.
Welcome to the NHL Seattle Kraken!!
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