Jessica: Nine centers. Two goalies. One roster spot on the line for every single guy in that room. The Seattle Kraken are staring down the barrel of a depth chart that looks less like a lineup and more like a draft day scramble. Who makes the cut? Who gets sent down to Tacoma? And does Matty Beniers finally get the consistent linemates he’s been waiting for, or is Chandler Stephenson going to hold onto that top-six lock?
Mark: It’s not just about who scores; it’s about who survives the forecheck. We’re looking at a center group that ranges from elite two-way play to raw developmental potential, and the coaching staff has some serious math to do before they fly out to Calgary on October 2nd.
Jessica: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Jessica, and this is your daily dose of Seattle Kraken analysis. Joining me as always is our lead analyst, Mark. Mark, let’s set the scene. It’s September 29th, 2026. The record is 0-0-0 across the league, but here in the Pacific Division, the Kraken are sitting at number one. That sounds good, right?
Mark: The standings don’t matter yet, Jess. But the expectation does. You mentioned the road game against Calgary. We predicted a win there last night, and Shane Wright had that breakout month we talked about. But today, we aren’t talking about predictions. We’re talking about personnel. The roster battles.
Jessica: Right. So here is what we are diving into today. First, the war for the second-line center spot between Berkly Catton, Shane Wright, and the veteran presence of Frederick Gaudreau. Second, the defensive pairing hierarchy with Ryan Lindgren, Adam Larsson, and the rising star Ryker Evans fighting for ice time. And third, the goalie controversy—Joey Daccord versus Philipp Grubauer—and who starts the opener. Let’s get into it.
Jessica: Let’s start with the most critical battle: the centers. We have nine names listed here. Matty Beniers is obviously the anchor. He’s your number one center. But behind him? It’s a mess. You’ve got Chandler Stephenson, who we know can produce. Then you’ve got Berkly Catton, who is young and fast. And then you’ve got Shane Wright, who was supposed to be the future. Where does Wright fit if Beniers and Stephenson are locked in?
Mark: It’s a classic case of too many horses and not enough carts. Look, Beniers is your #1. Stephenson is likely your #2 because of his playoff experience and face-off ability. That leaves the #3 center role wide open. This is where Berkly Catton shines. He’s got that edge speed. If the Kraken want to match up with teams like Vancouver or Colorado, they need someone who can pressure the neutral zone. Wright is physical, but Catton is elusive.
Jessica: But wait, remember last week? We were talking about how Wright needed that breakout month. He’s been pushing hard. Does he deserve the #3 spot over Catton based on effort? Or is skill going to win out here?
Mark: Effort doesn’t win games in the NHL, Jess. Skill does. Catton’s vision is better for that middle-six role. But here’s the nuance: Wright might not start as a center. He could slide to wing. If Jared McCann is playing left, and Jordan Eberle is right, where does Wright go? Maybe he plays with Beniers initially to learn the system, then settles into a bottom-six center role later in the year. It’s a developmental path, not a permanent assignment.
Jessica: So you’re saying Wright might be benched for Catton in the early games? That feels harsh for a kid who’s been waiting years for this moment.
Mark: It’s hockey. It’s brutal. But look at the other guys. You’ve got Jake O’Brien—he’s tough, he’s big, but he’s coming off injury concerns. You’ve got Bobby McMann, who is a grinder. You’ve got Ben Meyers. If Wright can’t handle the defensive zone assignments, he’s not going to play. The coach needs reliability first, flash second. Unless Catton turns it around, Wright has a chance. But right now, Catton has the edge.
Jessica: Okay, so Catton takes the #3 center spot for now. What about the fourth line? Who is the fourth line center? Is it Ryan Winterton? Or is it Curtis Douglas?
Mark: Winterton is the safer bet. He knows the system. He’s been in the organization longer. Douglas is the wildcard, but until he proves he can kill penalties effectively, Winterton is the guy. And let’s not forget, if things go sideways, Frederick Gaudreau can drop down and play fourth line center if needed. He’s versatile. That’s why he’s valuable.
Jessica: This is intense. Nine centers fighting for four spots. It’s going to be a long training camp. Before we move on to the defense, I want to take a quick breath. If these daily breakdowns are part of your morning routine or your commute, a small contribution is what keeps us free and daily. Please consider supporting us via the link in the episode description. Your help means the world to us and lets us keep bringing you this deep dive without any paywalls.
Jessica: Alright, let’s shift gears to the blue line. We’ve got eight defensemen listed. Vince Dunn is the clear #1. Brandon Montour is the #2. They are the anchors. But after them? It’s chaos. Adam Larsson is old school, heavy hitter. Ryan Lindgren is all elbows and grit. Then you’ve got Ryker Evans, who is young and fast. And Joshua Mahura, Cale Fleury, Ville Ottavainen. Who is making the team? Who is getting sent down?
Mark: Lindgren vs. Larsson is the key matchup here. Lindgren is relentless. He’s the perfect complement to Dunn. He kills penalties, he’s physical. Larsson is slower, but he’s steady. If the Kraken are facing a team like Calgary, who hits hard, you want Larsson’s size. But if you’re facing Vancouver, who is fast and skilled, you want Lindgren’s pace. It depends on the opponent.
Jessica: So it’s situational? That means both make the team? What about Ryker Evans? He’s been lighting up the minors. Does he jump ahead of Mahura or Fleury?
Mark: Evans has the upside. He’s a power-play quarterback type. But defensively? He’s still learning. Mahura is more reliable in his own zone. Fleury is a stay-at-home guy. If Evans makes the team, he’s probably playing with Montour on the power play. But if the penalty kill is struggling, Evans might be the first one sent down. It’s a high-risk, high-reward situation.
Jessica: And what about the odd-man out? If Dunn, Montour, Lindgren, and Larsson are locks, who is the fifth defenseman? Is it Evans? Or is it Mahura?
Mark: I think Mahura takes the fifth spot. He’s consistent. Evans is too volatile. Unless Evans has a huge training camp, Mahura is the safer choice. He won’t give up bad zone entries. In the NHL, bad zone entries lead to goals against. The Kraken can’t afford that early in the season.
Jessica: So Evans is the bubble guy. He’s on thin ice. What about Ville Ottavainen and Cale Fleury? Are they even in the mix?
Mark: They’re depth. Ottavainen might make the team if there’s an injury, but Fleury is likely going to Tacoma to get regular minutes. You can’t develop a player by sitting on the bench. Fleury needs to be in the AHL to grow. Ottavainen has that European flair, but can he handle the North American game? That’s the question.
Jessica: It’s a crowded blue line. Eight guys for six spots. That means two guys are getting sent down immediately. Do you think the coaching staff will stick with the veterans, or will they take a chance on the kids like Evans?
Mark: They’ll stick with the veterans for the first five games. Safety first. Once they see how the kids handle the pace, then they might make a change. But early on, you don’t gamble with your defense. You want stability. Lindgren and Larsson provide that. Evans provides excitement, but excitement can lead to mistakes. And mistakes cost points.
Jessica: Okay, so the defense is mostly set, except for that one spot. Now, let’s talk about the most controversial topic of the day: Goalies. Joey Daccord versus Philipp Grubauer. One is young, one is experienced. Who starts Game 1 against Calgary?
Jessica: This is the biggest decision of the season, Mark. Daccord has shown flashes of brilliance, but he’s also prone to lapses. Grubauer is steady, but he’s older. Who do you trust when the pressure is on?
Mark: Grubauer starts Game 1. Period. He’s been through the wars. He knows how to manage a game. Daccord is the backup. He’ll get starts when Grubauer is tired or injured. But for the opener? You want the veteran. You want the guy who has seen it all. Calgary is a tough place to play. You don’t want a rookie feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders.
Jessica: But Daccord has the athleticism. Can he outplay Grubauer in training camp? If he does, does he steal the job?
Mark: He can try. But unless Daccord is absolutely dominant, Grubauer holds the job. The Kraken can’t afford to lose the first three games. They need points. Grubauer gives them a .900 save percentage floor. Daccord might give you a .920 ceiling, but he might also give you a .870 floor. You go with the floor first.
Jessica: So Grubauer is the starter. Daccord is the backup. That means Daccord is under immense pressure to perform. If he struggles, does he get sent down? Or is he stuck in Seattle?
Mark: If he struggles, he stays in Seattle. Because there’s no one else to call up. The AHL goalie is solid, but he’s not ready for prime time. Daccord has to figure it out here. He’s the only option if Grubauer goes down. So he has to be consistent. No more lapses.
Jessica: What about the forwards? Who is trending up? Who is trending down? We talked about Catton trending up. What about Wright? Is he trending down?
Mark: Wright is trending down in terms of immediate impact. He’s not starting as a center. But he’s trending up in terms of development. He’s working on his defensive game. He’s listening to the coaches. That’s good. He’s not panicking. He’s adapting. That’s a sign of maturity. So while he’s not starting, he’s building a foundation for next year.
Jessica: And who is trending down overall? Is there anyone on this roster who is in real trouble?
Mark: Jake O’Brien. He’s coming off injury. His mobility isn’t what it used to be. If he can’t skate like a professional, he’s not going to play. He’s on the bubble. If he doesn’t show improvement in the first few days, he’s gone. Same with Curtis Douglas. He’s raw. He needs time in Tacoma. He’s not ready for the NHL grind yet.
Jessica: So O’Brien and Douglas are the guys to watch. If they struggle, they’re out. If they succeed, they’re in. It’s a make-or-break situation for them. And for the rest of the team, it’s about proving you belong. This is a roster built on depth and competition. There are no guaranteed spots. Not even for Beniers. Well, maybe for Beniers. But everyone else? They have to earn it.
Jessica: That’s the story of the Seattle Kraken right now. A team of contenders, but also a team of challengers. Every position is up for grabs. Every minute is earned. From the center ice battle between Catton and Wright, to the defensive pairing of Lindgren and Larsson, to the goalie duel between Daccord and Grubauer—it’s all about performance. Nothing is given. Everything is taken.
Mark: Exactly. And remember, we predicted a win against Calgary. If that happens, it’s because the depth players stepped up. If it doesn’t, it’s because the depth players faltered. This roster battle defines the season. Keep your eyes on the lineups. Watch the matchups. And enjoy the ride.
Jessica: Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network! If you enjoyed this deep dive into the Kraken’s roster battles, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a fellow Kraken fan. Let’s keep the conversation going. Until next time, go Kraken!