The NHL Network just dropped its top player rankings for centers, wingers, defensemen, and goalies for the upcoming 2026-27 season, and Emerald City, you’re gonna want to sit down for this. Our Seattle Kraken were completely missing from every single list. Not one skater, not one goalie, made the cut for the top 20 at their position, or even the top 10 for goalies. We’re in a group of just four teams in the entire league with absolutely zero representation, joining the Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, and Vancouver Canucks.
What These Preseason Rankings Mean for the Emerald City
It’s a tough pill to swallow, seeing these NHL Network rankings drop before the new season even starts. Our Seattle Kraken, the pride of the Emerald City, got absolutely no love, not a single player making any of the top lists. We’re lumped in with only three other teams , the Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, and Vancouver Canucks , as teams the experts deemed “understandably lacking a top-ranked player.” Understandably? Seriously? As fans, we watch every single game. We know what Matty Beniers brings, what Vince Dunn can do on the blue line, and how clutch Joey Daccord has been in the net. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers, who just got back to the playoffs last season for the first time in six years, at least saw their goalie, Dan Vladar, ranked No. 8 among the league’s best. They didn’t have any skaters crack the top 20 either, but it still feels like a slap to see our guys completely absent from these preseason prognostications. The NHL Network even combined left and right wingers, only listing 20 players instead of 40. It’s a frustrating snapshot of where the league’s “experts” see our team heading into the 2026-27 season.
The “No Superstar” Blueprint: Flyers vs. Capitals
So, if our Kraken are “understandably lacking a top-ranked player,” where does that leave teams that do achieve without individual superstars? Look at the Flyers. They and the Washington Capitals are the only two teams with just a goalie (Vladar for Philly, Logan Thompson for Washington at No. 6) on these positional rankings. The Capitals had a monster 2024-25 season, leading the Eastern Conference with 111 points, a huge leap from the 91 points that barely snuck them into the playoffs the year before. But last season, the Flyers actually pulled ahead, making the postseason with 98 points while the Capitals missed with 95. The Caps are loading up for the 2026-27 season, signing Alex Tuch and trading for Jordan Kyrou to back up Alex Ovechkin in what could be his final run. On paper, Washington looks stronger, for sure.
What’s Next for the Kraken and the “Leap”
Even though the source focuses on the Flyers and Capitals battling it out in the Metropolitan Division, this whole “team without a superstar” discussion has huge implications for our Kraken. The Flyers might not be the best team right now without a star skater, but they could become that this season. And if they do, it’ll probably be because one of their guys, like Trevor Zegras, finally makes that leap into stardom. Zegras was a Calder Trophy runner-up in 2022 and even graced the cover of NHL 23. That’s the kind of jump we’re looking for from our own guys. We’ve got the talent here in the Emerald City. We need one of our forwards, one of our defensemen, to make that big splash and force the league to take notice.
The 2026-27 season is right around the corner. While the Flyers and Capitals are gearing up for another battle in the Metropolitan, for our Kraken, these preseason rankings are a direct challenge. It’s time for our squad to prove the “experts” wrong. We need a player to step up, make that leap, and show the entire NHL that the Emerald City isn’t just about loud fans; it’s about elite talent too. This season is about making sure our names aren’t just in the conversation, but at the top of those lists when next year’s rankings drop. Let’s go Kraken!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
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