Seattle Kraken openers unveiled. When will you be able to see the team play at home?
Start the countdown, Seattle Kraken fans.
As the NHL’s newest franchise made its picks in Wednesday’s expansion draft, the team also announced it will play its home opener against the Vancouver Canucks at Climate Pledge Arena on Oct. 23.
That game could launch the beginning of a natural rivalry between the Kraken and the Canucks. Seattle and Vancouver are separated by less than 200 miles. Before now, Calgary — located more than 500 miles away — was the Canuck’s closest geographical opponent.
The Canucks and Kraken are slated to be in the same division, which means they will play at least four times a season. And due to the close proximity, fans from either team should be able to easily travel to away games. That is, if the border — closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic — is open by then.
The Kraken will start the season on the road on Oct. 12 against the Las Vegas Golden Knights, according to NHL.com’s Danny Webster. The match-up pairs the two most recent NHL expansion teams. Vegas joined in 2017, making the Stanley Cup Final in its first season and the playoffs in each of its four seasons.
The NHL will announce the complete 2021-22 season schedule Thursday night.
This story was originally published July 21, 2021 at 6:25 PM.
