Seattle Kraken stock up, stock down

After a rather underwhelming inaugural season, the Seattle Kraken rebounded in a big way in their 2022-23 campaign. 

The young team, led by Calder Trophy winner Matty Beniers, set a franchise record with an eight-game winning streak and even made it to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But can the newest team in the league continue being a threat in the Pacific Division now that it has made some big changes in the first half of the offseason?

Here's a look at whose stock is rising, falling or unclear.

Rising: Experienced blue line

Sure, keeping an NHL roster young is something that can help ensure a team has long-term success. That being said, having a defense with some experience -- and playoff experience at that -- can also help propel the Kraken in the upcoming campaign.

Seattle extended qualifying offers to four restricted free agents including Vince Dunn, who tallied the second-most points for the Kraken last season with 64 in 81 games. He also ended the season with a +28, which speaks volumes for a 26-year-old blueliner who also contributed seven points (one goal, six assists) in the playoffs.

The defense will get an even bigger boost now that two-time Stanley Cup winner Brian Dumoulin is joining the team, so as long as Seattle's defense stays healthy the Kraken could be even tougher to get through than they were last season.

Falling: Goaltending

The success of a goalie tandem is one of the hardest things to predict in the offseason. But from the look of things right now, Seattle could use some help between the pipes.

Philipp Grubauer had a solid enough campaign in his second tour with the Kraken, but he also sustained his fair share of injuries and is getting a bit long in the tooth on top of it. 

Martin Jones has hit the free agent market after one season in Seattle and it doesn't look like he'll be around to back Grubauer up. That leaves young Boston native Joey Daccord, who posted a 3.14 goals against average through five games played last season.

Of course, the offseason isn't over and the Kraken can still beef up their arsenal in net before training camp opens. Right now, however, that is an area that could be lacking next season.

Stock unclear: Depth

What the Kraken lacked in superstar power, they more than made up for with depth. The plucky roster was able to roll four lines with ease and showcased speed and pressure their Western Conference rivals couldn't match. It's no wonder they were able to leapfrog the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs.

But general manager Ron Francis has been very busy this offseason and has broken the roster up. Seattle has parted ways with Morgan Geekie, Daniel Sprong and Ryan Donato -- all of whom played key roles in the Kraken's 2022-23 success. There has been some addition in the form of young winger Kailer Yamamoto, but whether Seattle can still roll four lines on any given night is a bit up in the air.

Of course, head coach Dave Hakstol doesn't think the team's system will change because members of last year's class have departed.

"I believe the system adapts a little bit, but it grows, as well," Hakstol said in a Seattle Sports radio interview. "I believe the way that we play as we continue to improve, as our roster continues to grow and improve, we can continue to be successful within this system and play this way."

We'll just have to wait until the 2023-24 season starts in October to see if that holds up.