The Seattle Kraken named Jordan Eberle their second captain in franchise history just before the season began, on October 8th. He chipped in an assist that evening, in their 3-2 loss to kick off their 2024-25 campaign. Eberle came to Seattle as the team’s expansion draft selection from the New York Islanders back in 2021. As one of the team’s few higher profile players, he instantly became a fan-favourite in the Emerald City. Now, with the ‘C’ on his chest through the squad’s first five contests, Eberle looks rejuvenated carrying the extra responsibility.
New Seattle Kraken Captain Jordan Eberle Starts Season Strong
Following their opening night defeat, Seattle hit the road for a short roadtrip, playing three games in just four nights. They went 2-1-0, impressive considering the quick turnaround and quality of their opponents. In those games, Eberle contributed three goals even as the lineup shuffled around him. Upon their return home, he added another goal and assist in a 6-4 victory to take the team’s record to 3-2-0.
At 34 years old, Eberle remains the oldest player on the Kraken roster. Despite this, he now carries some extra pep in his step, with a beaming smile and extra energy on the ice. When he arrived in Seattle, Eberle had three years left on a five year deal. His cap hit then sat at $5.5 million annually. Near the end of last season, general manager Ron Francis offered Eberle a two-year extension. The new cap hit, $4.75 million annually, lightened the financial load a bit and takes Eberle through the end of next year.
Not often do players sign contract extensions worth less than their previous contract, especially going into unrestricted free agency. Not to mention, the team fired coach Dave Hakstol this summer and promoted Dan Bylsma from their AHL team in his stead. Eberle obviously arrived for training camp motivated, and quickly earned the respect of the new staff. Now, captain Eberle leads the Kraken on and off the ice.
On-Ice Flexibility
With a new coach comes growing pains; well, at least that’s usually the case. So far, the team seems to be getting along alright. This team failed to make the playoffs last season, and most people didn’t pencil them in to achieve much more this season. But internally, expectations certainly ratcheted up and the postseason stands in their crosshairs. Bylsma injected a new playing style, one with much more up-tempo play and speed.
Without digging deeper, a fast-paced game seems like the opposite of 34-year-old Eberle’s strengths. However, with plenty of youth in the lineup and a defence core encouraged to hop into the play, Eberle’s lack of top-end speed hasn’t been an issue. He began the year alongside Matthew Beniers and Jared McCann, his linemates from last season. That didn’t last long, as Bylsma swapped Beniers for rookie Shane Wright for games two through five.
Captain Eberle’s Milestone Night in St. Paul
Right away, the shuffled lines struck gold against the Minnesota Wild. Seattle got behind early, but Eberle’s 300th career goal brought them back to within one. Shortly thereafter, Eberle struck pay dirt again. This time, on the powerplay, and just like that the score knotted up at 2-2.
He wasn’t done there, either. As the game progressed, the teams found themselves in a back-and-forth battle. Seattle tied the game up late in the third at 4-4, and that score held through to a shootout. There, Eberle potted the game-winning shootout goal. Though not technically a hat trick, fans at home surely felt fantastic about their new leader.
As the captain, Eberle represents the Kraken in all circumstances. His experience and leadership certainly helps Wright as he adjusts to full-time life in the NHL. At 21 years old, Wright stands as the youngest player on the team, the opposite bookend to Eberle. Nearly 14 years separate them in age. Though he has only got on the scoresheet once, Wright’s impact on the ice remains a net-positive in all situations.
Balanced Attack, Balanced Ice Time
Another “opposite sides of the spectrum” comparable between Wright and Eberle comes in their average time-on-ice. Eberle is clocking in at 15:52 per night, the lowest average for a season across his entire 15-year career. That number will likely increase over the course of the season, but currently falls over 90 seconds beneath what he averaged last year (17:27).
In contrast, Wright continues receiving more opportunity than in his small samples over the last couple years. Before this year, Wright played 16 games and averaged roughly 11 minutes in each of those games. This year, he averaged 14:16 per night through game five. Eberle’s average remains higher thanks to special teams ice time, but at five-on-five, they take on top six matchups every night.
Eberle portrays no frustration or disappointment regarding his ice time thus far, and looks reinvigorated with young legs on his line. That poise surely points towards why the Kraken named Eberle captain, as his veteran presence shepherds the team’s most important young prospects.
Main photo by: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
