Seattle Kraken Face Injury Setbacks Ahead of Key Edmonton Oilers Matchup

Seattle Kraken face challenges ahead of key matchup against Edmonton Oilers amid injury setbacks

The Seattle Kraken are preparing for a pivotal home game against the Edmonton Oilers on November 29, 2025, amid mixed results in recent matches and the loss of key player Jaden Schwartz to injury. With the team currently holding a solid position in the Pacific Division, attention is turning to how they will manage the remainder of the NHL season and navigate upcoming contests.

Key points: - The Kraken will play the Edmonton Oilers on November 29 at Climate Pledge Arena, broadcasting live on KONG. - Seattle leads the season series against Edmonton 1-0 after a 3-2 win on October 25. - Jaden Schwartz, the team’s top scorer with 15 points, is sidelined for approximately six weeks with a lower-body injury. - The Kraken hold an 11-6-6 record with 28 points, currently sitting second in the Pacific Division. - The franchise’s valuation has increased to nearly $1.8 billion, ranking 21st in the NHL.

Current team status and key upcoming matchup

The Seattle Kraken are gearing up to host the Edmonton Oilers for a Saturday afternoon game set to start at 1 p.m. at Climate Pledge Arena. The match will be the second encounter of the season between the two teams, with Seattle having secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Edmonton earlier in October. The Oilers come into this game with a 10-10-5 record, placing them lower in the standings compared to the Kraken's solid 11-6-6.

Head coach Lane Lambert has been actively engaging with the media to discuss the team’s strategies and mentality ahead of the Oilers game. The Kraken’s goaltending trio continues to rank among the strongest in the conference, which, combined with solid defensive play, gives the team optimism in limiting opponents’ scoring chances.

Broadcasting and fan engagement

Local television partners KING 5 and KONG continue to play a crucial role in delivering Seattle Kraken games to fans across the region. These stations broadcast 73 of the team’s 82 regular-season games over free, over-the-air networks, with national partners airing the remaining games. Alongside live games, the “Kraken Home Ice” weekly magazine series offers fans in-depth content such as player interviews, behind-the-scenes features, and coach insights.

Jaden Schwartz’s injury impact

A significant blow for the Kraken came on November 28 with the announcement that alternate captain Jaden Schwartz will miss approximately six weeks due to a lower-body injury sustained during the recent 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. During the game, Schwartz suffered the injury in the second period after an incident involving Dallas defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok, which forced him to leave the ice and prevented his return for the rest of the game.

Schwartz, 33, leads the team with 15 points this season (8 goals and 7 assists) and is a vital contributor to both offense and leadership. The left winger, who joined the Kraken as a free agent in 2021, is currently in the final year of his five-year contract with a $5.5 million cap hit. Schwarz brings noteworthy experience, having been a Stanley Cup champion with the St. Louis Blues in the 2018-19 season, where he led playoff scoring for his team.

His absence challenges the Kraken’s offensive depth, putting greater pressure on forwards like Jordan Eberle and Matty Beniers, each currently with 14 points, to step up during Schwartz's recovery period.

Team performance and milestones

Seattle’s franchise has displayed competitive consistency, with a cumulative record of 153-159-39 over its first five seasons and a single playoff appearance in its sophomore year. During that postseason, the Kraken made headlines by defeating the defending Stanley Cup champions Colorado Avalanche in a seven-game series before bowing out to the Dallas Stars in the second round.

Through the current 2025-26 season, the Kraken are positioned well in one of the NHL’s toughest divisions. At 11 wins, 6 losses, and 6 overtime/shootout losses, their 28 points place them second behind the Anaheim Ducks. The team has enjoyed several individual player milestones recently: defenseman Brandon Montour and forward Chandler Stephenson each celebrated their 100th game for the Kraken, reflecting growing team experience and stability.

Franchise valuation and broader significance

The Seattle Kraken, despite being a relatively new NHL team, have rapidly increased their financial and competitive profile. Their franchise valuation surged to an estimated $1.77 billion, up from $1.6 billion last year, marking the team as the 21st most valuable in the NHL. This figure, while below the league average of $2.2 billion, highlights significant growth given the franchise’s four-year history.

This uptick partly stems from a landmark NHL media rights deal secured with Rogers Communications in Canada worth $7.8 billion over 12 years, alongside ongoing U.S. agreements with Walt Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery. The Kraken’s revenue generation, which rose to $191 million last season, demonstrates the franchise’s upward trajectory in both market presence and fan engagement.

Community involvement and regional outreach

Beyond performance and financial metrics, the Kraken demonstrate strong community ties, notably through their ongoing investments in youth hockey development in Alaska. A recent episode of "Inside the Arena" highlighted why the franchise prioritizes nurturing young talent in the state. This engagement reflects the team's effort to build a grassroots hockey culture beyond its Seattle base, strengthening regional support and fostering future hockey stars.

Conclusion

As the Seattle Kraken face the challenge of maintaining their competitive momentum without key player Jaden Schwartz, they continue to prove their resilience through solid coaching, strategic roster depth, and committed fan support. The upcoming clash with the Edmonton Oilers represents both a test and an opportunity for the team to reinforce its standing in the Pacific Division. With steady growth on and off the ice, the Kraken appear poised to remain a formidable force in the NHL landscape as the 2025-26 season progresses.