Seattle Kraken eliminated from playoff contention

The Seattle Kraken will not be playing hockey deep into the spring in 2026, after being eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention on Saturday due to results beyond their control, despite later facing the Calgary Flames.

Missing the postseason in 2026 marks the third straight season that the Kraken have not qualified for the playoffs, after making a run to the Western Conference semifinals in the 2022-23 season. That playoff berth, however, is their lone postseason appearance since entering the NHL as the league’s 32nd team in 2021-22. 

Following Saturday’s defining result, the Kraken will finish off the 2025-26 season with three games, playing out the remainder of the regular season schedule with a home game against the Los Angeles Kings, before a road swing against Vegas and the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche. 

Yet, even with games remaining on the schedule, plans are already in motion for the future of Washington State’s NHL team, after Ron Francis announced that he would step down from his role as president of hockey operations following the season, earlier in the week. 

His departure leaves the Kraken with the chance to restructure their front office or name a new person for the role. At the same time, it also raises questions around the future of executive vice president and general manager Jason Botterill heading into next season and beyond. 

Botterill’s first focus will be on the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, where the Kraken could have a top-10 pick, as well as likely a second first-round selection as part of a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning, as long as that pick does not fall within the top 10. Outside of the first round, the Kraken hold another six selections for a total of eight, as they restock their future in a new era for the hockey club.