Kraken eliminated, couldn't reach high expectations in inaugural season

The Seattle Kraken failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs in their inaugural season.

Seattle (21-40-6) was eliminated from contention when it lost 3-0 to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.
Here is a look at what happened in the 2021-22 season for the Kraken and why things could be better next season:

The skinny

Potential unrestricted free agents: Derrick Pouliot, D; Victor Rask, F; Riley Sheahan, F
Potential restricted free agents: Ryan Donato, F; Haydn Fleury, D; Morgan Geekie, F; Karson Kuhlman, F; Kole Lind, F; Daniel Sprong, F
Potential 2022 Draft picks: 12

What went wrong

The Vegas effect:The Golden Knights blew away expectations in their inaugural season of 2017-18, winning the Pacific Division and making the Stanley Cup Final. That created high expectations for the Kraken, whose goal entering the season was to win the Stanley Cup, according to goalie Philipp Grubauer. Teams learned from dealing with Vegas in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft and didn't allow Seattle to make the same types of trades to gather extra players and draft picks in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft.
Not enough surprises: The Golden Knights didn't just gather assets in the 2017 expansion draft. They built a team, and many players seized opportunities to play larger roles and set NHL career highs. The Kraken didn't have enough of that. Perhaps the only notable example is forward Jared McCann, who leads them with 24 goals, and with 38 points in 58 games is averaging 0.64 points per game. Seattle is averaging 2.60 goals per game, 28th in the NHL.
Goaltending: The theory was that Seattle could make up for offensive deficiencies with defense and goaltending. Grubauer was the prize in free agency, signing a six-year, $35.4 million contract July 28 after he was a Vezina Trophy finalist for best goalie in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche last season. But he is 15-27-5 with a 3.19 goals-against average, .889 save percentage and one shutout. Seattle is allowing 3.51 goals per game (27th) and has an 89.9 percent save percentage at 5-on-5 (31st).

Reasons for optimism

Draft capital: The Kraken moved multiple players before the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline, including defenseman Mark Giordano, their first captain. They now have 12 picks in the 2022 NHL Draft, including five in the first two rounds; 13 picks in the 2023 NHL Draft, including four in the first two rounds; and nine picks in the 2024 NHL Draft. General manager Ron Francis said the Kraken want to use some of those picks to acquire players to improve next season.
NHL salary cap space: Seattle still has loads of cap space and lots to offer: a new arena, new practice facility and an opportunity with a new team in a vibrant city. Francis made it clear the Kraken plan to be active in free agency as well as the trade market.
High-end prospects: The Kraken will have a high pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, perhaps the No. 1 pick, if the lottery goes their way. They had the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft and selected center Matty Beniers, who scored two points (one goal, one assist) in four games for the United States at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. He has scored 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) in 36 games for the University of Michigan, which is in the Frozen Four, and is a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award given to the top player in NCAA Division I men's hockey.