This Team Still Feels Like It’s Figuring Out What It Can Be
You can feel the tension in every stretch right now. Not panic, not quite desperation, just that sense that the Kraken are still deciding what version of themselves shows up on a given night. Some games we’re flying through the neutral zone, Beniers hunting pucks again, Dunn jumping into everything. Other nights it turns into this grind where we’re begging for a clean finish or one bounce that isn’t off someone’s shin pad.
The biggest thing everyone keeps circling back to is the scoring depth. We know the structure is there. Hakstol has them layered, forechecking, making teams work just to get out of their zone. But when the pressure builds late in games, when it’s tied in the third and the building is waiting for someone to grab it, that’s where the questions start. Is it Matty taking that step again? Is Wright about to string together the kind of stretch that forces the league to notice? Feels like we’re all watching that develop in real time.
And then there’s the crease. Joey has nights where he looks completely locked in and the whole bench settles down. Other nights it turns chaotic and suddenly we’re chasing.
Still, Climate Pledge gets loud when this team starts rolling. You feel it when the forecheck hits and the crowd leans forward at the same time. If you’ve been thinking about grabbing Seattle Kraken tickets, this is the stretch where it actually matters. Games at Climate Pledge Arena right now have that edge where every shift feels a little heavier.
Because we’re not just watching games anymore. We’re watching to see what this group decides it is. And some nights you can almost see it forming.
What time should I get inside Climate Pledge Arena for the full Kraken pregame experience?
You should enter Climate Pledge Arena at least 30 minutes before puck drop to see the Seattle Kraken pregame show. The Kraken introduction includes the famous “Release the Kraken” video sequence, dramatic lighting, and player skate-out, which is one of the loudest moments in the arena. Doors typically open 90 minutes before puck drop, so arriving early also gives you time to walk the living wall entrance, explore the Kraken Team Store, and grab food before lines get long.
Where are the best seats at Climate Pledge Arena for watching the Kraken?
The best seats for viewing the Seattle Kraken are lower bowl center ice or the first rows of the upper bowl because Climate Pledge Arena has steep seating and excellent sightlines. Many experienced Kraken fans prefer:
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Sections 19–21 or 1–3 for center ice views
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Upper bowl rows A–E for a full view of plays developing
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Behind the shoot-twice net (Kraken attack twice) for high-energy offense moments
Climate Pledge Arena was designed to keep fans close to the ice, so even upper-level seats still feel close compared with many NHL arenas.
What food is actually worth trying at a Seattle Kraken game?
The best food at Climate Pledge Arena highlights Seattle restaurants and local ingredients rather than generic arena food. Popular choices among Kraken fans include:
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Din Tai Fung dumplings for a Seattle favorite
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Ivar’s seafood for classic Pacific Northwest fish and chips
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Impossible or plant-forward options that match the arena’s sustainability focus
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Local craft beer stands featuring Seattle-area breweries
Climate Pledge Arena is known around the NHL for having one of the best arena food programs because most vendors are local brands.
Is the “Kraken shoot twice” side important when picking seats?
Yes, many Seattle Kraken fans prefer sitting on the Kraken shoot twice side so they see more offensive action. The Kraken shoot twice toward the west goal (sections roughly 16–18 and nearby) during most games. Seats behind that net are especially fun if you enjoy goal celebrations, power plays, and high-energy crowd moments.
Are there any cool Kraken traditions I should know during the game?
Yes, Seattle Kraken fans participate in several in-game traditions that make the atmosphere unique. The most recognizable traditions include:
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Shouting “Release the Kraken!” during the pregame intro
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Cheering loudly during the deep foghorn goal horn after Kraken goals
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Waving rally towels during big moments in the third period
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Singing along during arena music breaks, especially during big rivalry games
The Kraken fanbase is still young compared with other NHL teams, but the energy inside Climate Pledge Arena has quickly become one of the loudest environments in the league.
