Eberle made history at the start of the season, becoming the second team captain in franchise history after a two-year vacancy. Unfortunately, he suffered a groin injury and underwent surgery early in the season, causing him to miss much of the year.

Despite this, he still managed to tally 23 points and has been a leader on the ice for the Kraken. After his injury, there was a noticeable change in the team’s on–ice dynamic until Eberle’s return. His veteran leadership, presence, talent and adversity to push through injury earned him the No. 7 spot.

6. Vince Dunn

They say the rising tide raises all ships, a perfect phrase to describe Dunn’s is on the ice. Similar to Eberle, Dunn suffered a mid–season injury that saw him out of commission for about 20 games. However, upon his return to the ice, Dunn got to work scoring twice in his first game back and tallying three points total.

Dunn was at the heart of the Kraken’s playoff run back in 2023 and is an electric presence on and off the ice. As a defenseman, he puts his body on the line shift after shift and is known for heavy shots at the blue–line to set up tip–in opportunities for his linemates. There is a difference in both the pace of play and intensity on the ice when Dunn is in the starting lineup.

5. Chandler Stephenson

After winning the Stanley Cup in 2023 with the Las Vegas Golden Knights, Stephenson signed a seven-year, $43 million contract with the Kraken. The 30–year–old center was one of two major acquisitions the Kraken made in the 2024 offseason and although he got off to a cold start, he still contributed to many Kraken wins.

The Saskatoon native leads the Kraken in assists and has been the anchor on the second line. With six years still left on his contract, Seattle fans should expect to see Stephenson become a veteran leader as he continues to build chemistry with the team.

4. Brandon Montour

Similar to Stephenson, Montour is coming off a Stanley Cup victory with the Florida Panthers in 2024. For $50 million, the Kraken have secured him for seven years and so far he has lived up to his contract. With 40 points and 23 assists, Montour has been the productive Kraken defenseman, with Dunn on his heels. 

For much of the season, Montour was paired with Dunn on defense, forming a deadly duo at the blue line. Their heavy shots from well out set forwards up for quality tip-ins game after game.

Montour also broke the record for the fastest overtime winning goal in NHL history this season at four seconds. Stephenson won the faceoff and fed a perfect pass to Montour, who beat the Canadiens’ goaltender Jakub Dobes on his glove side.

3. Kappo Kakko

In exchange for defenseman Will Borgen and two draft picks, the Kraken acquired Kakko from the New York Rangers. After several years of sub–par production in the Big Apple, the No. 2 overall pick was believed to be a bust. However, after coming to the Kraken, Kakko has seemed found his home.

The Finnish forward got to work on the first line alongside Matty Beniers and Jaden Swartz, picking up assists consistently. His chemistry with his linemates was evident from the start and only continued to grow as the season progressed. Without that move at the trade deadline, the Kraken likely would have struggled even more in the second half of the season.

With Kakko returning for the 2025–26 season, fans can expect to see the Finnish phenom be among the top performers in Seattle.

2. Eeli Tolvanen

A hockey team is only as good as its fourth line, and Eeli Tolvanen has been adding depth to the fourth line all year. While his stats may not live up to his teammates’ level, this season has still been productive for the Finnish right–winger.

He put up his first ever 20-goal season and the second most points in his career. After only playing 13 games with the Nashville Predators in 2022, the Kraken picked him up off the waivers and Tolvanen has slowly revived his career.

In prior years he was an assist-heavy player, but 2024 saw him finding the back of the net more often. Goal production on the fourth line is something that can set a hockey team apart from the rest of the league and Tolvanen has been at the heart of it for the Kraken.

1. Jaden Swartz

No Kraken quite deserves the No. 1 spot more than the Saskatchewan man himself: Swartz.

With the arrival of Kakko, Swartz’s production exploded. He leads the team with 24 goals and put up the most points in his Kraken tenure with 47 so far. When paired with Beniers and Kakko on the first line, they form a deadly trio that sparked the second half of the season for the Kraken.

Swartz has since been replaced by Nyman on the first line and has moved down to the second line alongside Stephenson and Eberle. However, his contributions, especially in the season’s second half, have been invaluable to the Kraken.