Kraken Co-Owner Sees Need for Change After Tough Season

Tod Leiweke acknowledges struggles as team aims to bounce back

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:33pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting the fragmented action of a hockey game, with sharp planes of navy, teal, and silver representing the Kraken's efforts to regain their footing as a new franchise.The Kraken's struggles in their second season have prompted a need for strategic changes to return the team to the playoffs and maximize their impact on the city of Seattle.Seattle Today

In his second season as co-owner of the Seattle Kraken, Tod Leiweke has seen the impact a successful team can have on the city. However, the Kraken struggled in their sophomore campaign, failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Leiweke now recognizes the need for changes as the team looks to bounce back and recapture the excitement they generated in their inaugural season.

Why it matters

The Kraken's performance is closely watched in Seattle, where the team's success can energize the city and its fans. After a promising debut, the Kraken's struggles in their second season have dampened that enthusiasm, putting pressure on the organization to make necessary changes to get the team back on track.

The details

The Kraken failed to build on their inaugural season, missing the playoffs in 2026 despite high expectations. As co-owner, Leiweke has witnessed firsthand the impact a winning team can have on the city, and he now acknowledges the need for adjustments to get the Kraken back to that level of success.

  • The Kraken qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs in their inaugural 2025-26 season.
  • The Kraken missed the playoffs in the 2026-27 season.

The players

Tod Leiweke

The co-owner of the Seattle Kraken, who has seen the impact a successful team can have on the city.

Seattle Kraken

The National Hockey League expansion team that began play in the 2021-22 season and made the playoffs in their inaugural campaign, but struggled in their second season.

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What they’re saying

“We've got to make some changes. We've got to get this right.”

— Tod Leiweke, Kraken Co-Owner

What’s next

Leiweke and the Kraken organization will need to evaluate the team's roster, coaching staff, and overall strategy to determine the best path forward to return the team to the playoffs and recapture the excitement of their inaugural season.

The takeaway

The Kraken's struggles in their second season have put pressure on the organization to make necessary changes to get the team back on track and restore the enthusiasm they generated in their debut campaign, when they qualified for the playoffs.