Seattle Kraken vs. Dallas Stars. The Seattle Kraken is a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle, Washington. The team is part of the National Hockey League (NHL) and made its debut in the 2021-2022 season. The Kraken became the 32nd franchise of the NHL and is the first major professional sports team in Seattle since the Seattle SuperSonics basketball team relocated in 2008. The team's name, "Kraken," refers to a legendary sea monster from Scandinavian folklore and serves as a nod to the maritime history of the city.