Montour, Stephenson Boost Kraken to 7th Most Improved Team

The Seattle Kraken brought back Eeli Tolvanen and added Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson this offseason, earning a rank as the 7th most improved team according to Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic.

Luszczyszyn rated the Kraken with a net improvement of +21, despite key departures like Kailer Yamamoto, Justin Schultz, and Brian Dumoulin. The additions of Montour and Stephenson, combined with the development of young talent like 2022 fourth overall pick Shane Wright, have boosted the Kraken's offensive power and balanced the roster.

Montour, considered the best offensive defenseman option available, and Stephenson, one of the league's more creative offensive players, are expected to address the team's scoring struggles from last year.

Luszczyszyn commented:

"I don't love what Seattle did this summer from a financial perspective, but the Kraken do look better going into next season as a result. Brandon Montour is a top-pair caliber defenseman and serves as a massive upgrade over Justin Schultz. With Ryker Evans serving as an internal upgrade over Brian Dumoulin, Seattle's back end looks the strongest it has ever been.

Up front, Chandler Stephenson isn't what he once was, but he's certainly stronger than Kailer Yamamoto. He may not be worth the money, but his addition reinforces the Kraken's advantage from 2022-23: a deep forward group.

Together, those two give Seattle a big offensive boost, something the Kraken seriously lacked last season. While the team's offense still grades out as below average, it's a big step up from their bottom-three ranking prior to free agency."

The six teams ranked above the Kraken are the Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Utah, San Jose Sharks, and Nashville Predators.

Opinions on the Kraken's offseason vary widely. Just yesterday, Bleacher Report gave the Kraken an F grade for their offseason, while The Athletic ranks them seventh overall. The performance and impact of Montour and Stephenson this season will ultimately determine the success of Seattle's offseason moves.