Ryker Evans is back!
The Seattle Kraken have re-signed the promising defenseman to a two-year contract, and host Erica L. Ayala breaks down what this means for the team’s future. From Evans’ standout stats in his first full NHL season to how he fits into the Kraken’s youth movement strategy, this episode is packed with insights every Seattle hockey fan needs to know.
Plus, Erica discusses the team’s top players heading into the 2025-26 season and the broader impact of this move on the Kraken’s roster development.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Intro
01:40 – Ryker Evans Resigns
10:57 – Top 7 Seattle Kraken Players
12:38 – Ranking Seattle Kraken Players
13:55 – Exercise: Rank Top 2 Kraken Players
37:24 – All-Time Seattle Kraken List
38:11 – Kraken’s NHL Ranking
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Locked On Kraken is a daily podcast covering the 32nd NHL team! Host and freelancer journalist Erica L. Ayala (Locked on WBB, Forbes, Sports Illustrated, and more) helped the then NHL Seattle franchise launch the Seattle Kraken brand back in July 2020.
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10 Comments
Best Right now imo:
Joey
McCann
Dunn
Shane
Beniers
Montour
7. Idk? Eeli, Schwartz, Kaapo, Lars? A lot of the similar middle tier guys to choose here.
I do not believe we have a top 100 player in the league yet. Maybe next preseason.
As far as all time Kraken? That depends on the parameters. Best player to ever wear a Kraken Sweater? Gio and it's not particularly close. Best all time player with only Kraken tenure considered? McCann. Dunn coming in second.
Here my list for current top 7, and some explanation
1. McCann 2. Daccord 3. Beniers 4. Montour 5. Dunn 6. Wright 7. Eberle
1. McCann – When he’s healthy and playing on the top line, he’s by far the best overall player on the team. He’s the only one with true elite goal-scoring upside. He was on pace for 70 points again before Ebbs went down.
2. Daccord – he’s exactly what you want out of a starting goalie, but he’s not quite elite (yet); he’s reliable and you know exactly what you’re going to get. I’m expecting him to have even better numbers this year
3. Beniers – this is probably polarizing to some, but how about this – on the team, Matty was second in net rating (behind McCann), led all players in defensive rating (+3 and the only player with a positive rating), led all full time players in 5v5 xGF%, led all full time forwards in 5v5 xGA/60, was 4th in goals, and is one of our best players on the penalty kill – he’s absolutely one of the top players on this team regardless of whether we expect him to finish with more points. If we get more talented wingers, the points will come
4. Montour – super aggressive offensive style. His defense took a slight hit this year, but the speed and energy he played with was fantastic. He is a vocal leader of the team. He was 4th in goals for all defensemen in the NHL this past season, and led the Kraken in goals and points for defensemen
5. Dunn – fully healthy season, he probably had the nod over Monty, but they’re both close. Monty gets the edge going into next season because he was better on both sides of the puck (slightly) in 24-25
6. Wright – he was our best power play shooter, and was one of our most efficient overall players given his sheltered ice time. Some of this ranking is potential, but realistically he’s a 20+ goal scorer next season with more ice time, and I would expect him to finish somewhere in the top 5 in points. The thing holding him back right now is his defense – if that improves he’ll likely finish higher than 6th in a re-rank
7. Eberle – the Captain was playing well, on pace for over 60 again before he was injured. When healthy, Eberle is a difference making for this hockey team. His play driving is fantastic, his passing (which is a big weakness for this team) is crisp and accurate. He elevates every line he’s on. He’s the absolute leader of this group, and it’s a different team when he’s on the ice
Erica, the Mariners play your beloved New York Mets at Citi Field this weekend. Who are you rooting for?
Berkly Catton
So stoked about his 2 year deal and the AAV
I really hope the Kraken are ready and prepared to truly accept the youth movement that needs to happen with proper playing time.
Thank you Erica I really appreciate your point of view on the Kraken🙏
3 2 1….. Joey Daccord yes yes yes!!!! Joey Joey Joey💙
Top seven Kraken ok let me try Joey McCann Dunn Larson Matty Tolvi Schwartz and Ebs in that exact order. We can absolutely flip Schwartz and Tolvi if u want but that’s my top 7 for the but Jayden has been injury plagued