Seattle is scheduled to play its home games at Climate Pledge Arena, which is being renovated. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman toured the arena Wednesday and said it would be completed in time.
"Absolutely, that is what I am being told," Bettman said. "I can't rave enough about it. It's going to be state of the art. From an environmental viewpoint, it is going to be carbon neutral. The sight lines, the views, the way it is set up, there isn't a bad seat in the house."
The Kraken play their first NHL preseason game Sept. 26 against the Canucks at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Washington, home of the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League. Seattle will play two other preseason home games at WHL arenas while work continues at Climate Pledge Arena.
"The arena is on track to host our first regular-season home game in mid-October, but we have made the decision to play our three inaugural preseason games at three outstanding local arenas," Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke said July 9. "This gives us an opportunity to partner with the WHL teams, celebrate hockey across our region and grow this beautiful game. We couldn't be more excited for these games and then to open Climate Pledge Arena."
The Kraken will play six preseason games, two each against the Canucks, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames. They host the Oilers at the home of the Everett Silvertips on Oct. 1, and the Flames at the home of the Seattle Thunderbirds on Oct. 2.
"These games represent the opportunity to see our roster come together for the first time outside of training camp," Kraken general manager Ron Francis said. "It will be an honor to play them in hockey communities across the state, and I know our players will be excited."
