Looking ahead, the Kraken aim to improve their performance in the 2025-26 season, starting with their opener against the Anaheim Ducks on October 9, 2025.

The Seattle Kraken have signed defenseman Ryker Evans to a two-year contract extension valued at $4.1 million, which will keep him with the team through the 2026-27 season.

This new deal includes an average annual salary of $2.05 million, with Evans earning $2.025 million in the first year and $2 million in the second year.

In his first full NHL season, the 23-year-old Evans recorded 25 points, including five goals and 20 assists, over 73 games.

General Manager Jason Botterill praised Evans for his year-over-year improvement and expressed confidence in his potential for the upcoming season.

Overall, Evans has accumulated 34 points in 109 NHL games and recently represented Team Canada at the world hockey championship, where he contributed two assists in eight games.

During the past season, Evans led Kraken defensemen with 123 hits and ranked third with 106 blocked shots.

In addition to his NHL performance, he has also played with the AHL's Coachella Valley Firebirds, scoring eight goals and 59 points in 96 games.

Despite his contributions, Evans has yet to receive significant power play time, indicating potential for increased offensive output in the upcoming season.

Evans' development comes as the Kraken, in their second season, faced challenges replicating the early success of other expansion teams, leading to growing pains for players like him.

Before his NHL career, Evans played 44 Calder Cup Playoff games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, helping the team reach the finals in both 2023 and 2024.

Drafted 35th overall by Seattle in the 2021 NHL Draft, Evans made his NHL debut in the 2023 season, scoring one goal and eight assists in 36 games.