NHL Seattle should consider a name other than ‘Kraken’ for its franchise

While hockey fans eagerly wait for NHL Seattle’s official name, here’s why the city should consider something other than ‘Kraken.’

Seattle will rein in another top-four major league sports team in addition to MLB’s Seattle Mariners once the 2020-21 NHL season arrives.

The NHL will officially expanded to Seattle in the coming seasons, and now it’s just a waiting game for fans to witness the franchise’s color scheme and official team name. While “Seattle Kraken” was leaked as the front runner for its nickname, the NHL’s newest club has delayed the unveiling since All-Star weekend back in late January.

Should the team be named Kraken or something different?

Kraken isn’t a bad team name, but something more modest and classic should hit the Seattle market.

For starters, let’s dive into the pros and cons of “Kraken.”

The name pops that’s for sure, and in comparison to other teams around the NHL and professional hockey for that matter. The legendary monster offers plenty of spooky, entertaining and intimidating branding possibilities for Seattle, while attracting new fans to join the ranks as supporters.

Fans would have to imagine that Pirates of the Caribbean GIFs would be used countless times on Twitter, too.

Let’s not forget that one of the team’s biggest rivals right from puck drop will be the Vancouver Canucks. While Vancouver’s branding and logo entails a fierce Orca, it’s safe to say the Kraken wins that battle in the sea.

The cons arguably entail the fact that Kraken might portray a minor league or collegiate-like nickname. Or as ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski proposed — some narcotic mockery could arise with the nickname.

Instead, here’s a different proposal for Seattle’s identity: “Seattle Seal.”

Some fans could prefer “Sea Lions” because it might better represent the city’s marine life, but “Seal” offers a bold and simple identity. Using “Seal” instead of “Seals” portrays something unique for any sports team’s official name and marketing campaigns could easily run with that concept while tying it in with the city’s fan base as “one.”

Let’s not forget that the NHL used to house a franchise called the “Seals” from 1967 until the end of the 1976 campaign. The team was located in the San Francisco area while eventually changing its name to the California Golden Seals prior to the franchise’s relocation to Cleveland.

A classic never dies, and bringing back a modern-day version of that nickname could be a hit in professional sports.

One major con with “Seal” is the fact that it opens up possibilities for the fans to incorporate some unfortunate mockery. Again, considering the Canucks’ utilize an Orca as its logo — and the species is a predator towards seals.

Either way, fans have to wait longer than expected for Seattle’s official unveiling of its name. But perhaps a vintage nickname such as “Seal” bodes better for a sport that relishes both history and simplicity.

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