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The NHL is officially digging roots in Seattle. After a unanimous vote by the board of governors, the 32nd team will take the ice in the 2021-2022 season with a $650 million entry fee.
Welcome to the Pacific
The newest addition to the NHL will find its place in the Pacific Division. To create a spot in the division for Seattle, the Arizona Coyotes will be moving to the Central Division in the 2021-2022 season.
Seattle’s home arena will be the KeyArena, which will be undergoing $800 million of renovations over the next two years. This arena is currently used in the WNBA by the Seattle Storm.
Names, Colors and Logos
A name has not yet been announced for the team. However, there are some possibilities on the table. According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, the ownership group has applied to for domains with the following 13 names following “Seattle”:
- Cougars
- Eagles
- Emeralds
- Evergreens
- Firebirds
- Kraken
- Rainiers
- Renegades
- Sea Lions
- Seals
- Sockeyes
- Totems
- Whales
As for colors and logos, all is still in early creative processes and have not yet been announced. However, they do have a Twitter account: @NHLSeattle_.
A moment we’ll never forget. #ReturnToHockey #NHLSeattle pic.twitter.com/ENRNHW8zw0
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) December 5, 2018
Expansion Draft
The organization will be follow the same rules regarding the expansion draft as the Vegas Golden Knights. This certainly seems like a positive for Seattle, as Vegas saw quick success with their organization. However, keep in mind that the Golden Knights are not required to expose any of their players to Seattle’s expansion draft. This was part of the negotiations in their entrance to the NHL.
Winter Sport in Seattle
The new team will provide a winter sport for Seattle fans. Although Seattle sports are busy in the summer and fall seasons with the Mariners and Seahawks, winter posed a rather empty space in the sports market. With no NBA team since the departure of the SuperSonics in 2008, this NHL addition could fill a void in the cold months for Seattle sports fans.
