SEA Kraken

Establishment (2018–2021)

The NHL Board of Governors voted unanimously to approve Seattle's expansion team on December 4, 2018, to begin play in the 2021–22 season as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. As a result, the Arizona Coyotes were shifted from the Pacific Division to the Central Division to balance out the four divisions at eight teams each. The organization hired Ron Francis as their general manager to initiate operations for the team.

On July 23, 2020, the franchise announced their team name, the Seattle Kraken, as well as their team colors, branding, and home jersey. The team's name comes from the mythical kraken of Scandinavian folklore and its resemblance to the native giant Pacific octopus, which is found in the waters of the Puget Sound, near Seattle. On April 30, 2021, the franchise paid the final installment of the $650 million expansion fee, making the Kraken the 32nd team of the NHL.

First seasons (2021–present)

The Kraken made their first ever signing, Luke Henman, on May 12, 2021. On June 24, the organization hired Dave Hakstol as their inaugural head coach. On June 28, the Kraken announced the Charlotte Checkers as their inaugural farm team, sharing the team with the Florida Panthers.

An expansion draft was held on July 21, in a similar manner to a previous expansion draft held in 2017 for the Vegas Golden Knights, who were themselves exempt from the 2021 expansion draft. The Kraken would then select their first draft pick, Matty Beniers, as the second overall selection at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The Kraken would also sign many players. Notable signings would include goaltender Philipp Grubauer and forwards Jaden Schwartz and Alexander Wennberg. On October 11, the Kraken named Mark Giordano, selected in the expansion draft from the Calgary Flames, as the team's inaugural captain. The captaincy would become vacant after Giordano was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 20, 2022.

The Kraken played their first regular season game on October 12, a 4–3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, where Ryan Donato would score the team's first goal. The Kraken's first win came in their second game on October 14, when they defeated the Nashville Predators 4–3. Following a 6–1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, goaltender Joey Daccord would be named the a starter instead of the usual Philipp Grubauer in what would be a 4–2 loss to the New Jersey Devils. The Kraken would play their first home game at Climate Pledge Arena on October 23, a 4–2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Prior to the game, the Kraken would retire the jersey number 32, in recognition of the franchise being the 32nd to join the NHL and in honor of the 32,000 fans who placed deposits for tickets on the first possible day. The Kraken would pick up their first ever home win on October 26, against the Montreal Canadiens. Goaltender Chris Driedger would make his first start with the Kraken on November 9, in a 4–2 loss to the Golden Knights. The Kraken would face several losing streaks throughout their season. However, Philipp Grubauer would record the franchise's first ever shutout, making 19 saves in an 3–0 victory against the New York Islanders. The Kraken would be eliminated from playoff contention on March 30 after a 3–0 loss to the Golden Knights. The Kraken would finish their inaugural season in last place of the Pacific Division with a 27–49–6 record and 60 points.

The Kraken's second season would be far better in terms of winning. On July 13, 2022, the Kraken would sign Martin Jones to a one-year contract. He would make his debut with the Kraken on October 13, notching a 4–1 victory. In early January, Jones would lead the Kraken through an 8-game win streak. In doing so the Kraken became the first team to win all seven games of a road trip. On April 6, the Kraken clinched their first ever playoff berth, qualifying for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs as the first wild card from the Western Conference with a record of 46–28–8 and 100 points. On April 13 it was announced André Burakovsky would miss the first round of the playoffs after missing the last 33 games of the season, due to an undisclosed lower body injury. On April 30, they defeated the Colorado Avalanche, in the opening round, becoming the first expansion team in NHL history to win their first playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup champions. The Kraken would lose to the Dallas Stars in the second round. Both series lasted the full seven games. On June 26, Matty Beniers was named the champion of the Calder Memorial Trophy for being the NHL rookie of the year.