Hockey fans desperate for news amidst the Coronavirus shutdown would have been ecstatic to find out the name of the new NHL expansion team in Seattle, which had been planned for release this month. However, they will have to wait a while longer. Seattle CEO Tod Leiweke released a statement today which included that the group has decided to relay the reveal of their name and brand. Those eager to see the logo and colors of the NHL’s 2021-22 entry will have to continue to be patient.
Leiweke did not detail why the ownership group opted to push back their planned reveal, but it is easy to formulate some possibilities. The Vegas Golden Knights held a massive reveal party when their name and logo became public, which was televised and drew much attention to the rookie club. A similar event would be impossible – or at least irresponsible – right now, especially given the severity of COVID-19 cases in the state of Washington. Secondly, the Knights also had merchandise online and in sporting good stores around North America the day after their reveal, which would have been another hurdle for Seattle if they had stuck to their reveal date. With many retail and shipping companies operating under state and federal limitations, merchandise would not be as readily available and could again harm the new team’s initial exposure. Finally, it seems from Leiweke’s statement that the group also did not want to draw attention away from what is really important right now and wanted to hold off on their big day until “the right time”.
There are thought to be as many as a dozen possible names for the expansion franchise, with Kraken emerging as a fan favorite. Other possibilities include Sockeyes, Totems, Rainiers, Emeralds, Evergreens, Sea Lions, and Seals. Whatever the choice is, the group has kept it close to the chest as there has been nothing concrete to point toward any of those possible monikers nor a potential color scheme.
While fans may be disappointed in a continued wait on Seattle’s reveal, Leiweke’s statement contained numerous other reasons to be supportive of the team. Given the current state of things, both locally and globally, Leiweke announced that the team will defer payments from season ticket purchases through June to allow those fans to focus their funds toward more important means. In another generous move, the team pledged $100K toward youth homelessness in Seattle, a cause made even more important by the current health crisis. Seattle may not have an NHL team yet, or even a name or logo, but they are already winning over their city and hockey fans around the world.
The obvious and proper call under the circumstances. Wait until the 2020-2021 season starts.
I agree that holding off is probably the right move. I think they could make an announcement after this regular season, if we even see hockey again. crazy.
Considering how desperate everyone is for anything hockey related right now it’d be amazing if they announced it now. I get why they’re waiting but they would get my instant admiration if they lifted everyone’s spirit with some good news.
Agreed
this is exactly the thought I had. There is a large audience out there in the whole hockey market eager to pay attention to something.
That being said, I get that they want to get a deeper emotional connection with just their local market rather than a dry connection with all game being aware of what the brand looks like.
Would be great if the delay was because their planned name was the Seattle Viruses or Infection or even Mayhem. Only because we need the laughs.
cmon. no good reason to delay.
Seattle Skookum. Skookum has roots in Native American lore of the Northwest.
Nope.
But Kraken GM Ron Francis…
Should be the Metropolitans. PERIOD.
First US team to win the Stanley Cup.
I would buy Kraken gear right now if they also had the same color scheme as the Seahawks… that’d be a legendary uni
Can they buy the copyright to the whalers name and colors? I miss those unforms.
i think they would have to buy the rights (if that’s even possible) from carolina if not them i would think the city of hartford might own the rights
link to google.com
Here are some concepts of possible uniform and colors for Seattle Franchise as found by googling and link above or Seattle NHL Team. I found this several months back as they are gonna be green as my best estimation.
Look it folks its not the name delay you should be worrying about but the construction of the arena. Have you seen it? They are still digging at the site with 14 months until the NHL draft is to be held inside a fully operational arena. I have seen homes with as little as 2000 square feet go up slower from foundation finish. My bet is that the first season is going to be delayed by another year. Here is a link to construction updates.
link to newarenaatseattlecenter.com