Stanley Cup playoff action hasn`t been a regular occurrence in Seattle since the Kraken joined the league.
However, forward Mason Marchment is quite familiar with that atmosphere.
Marchment, recently acquired by the Kraken from the Dallas Stars last Thursday in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round draft pick and a 2026 third-round pick, experienced firsthand some of the playoff intensity at Climate Pledge Arena in 2023 when the Kraken and Stars faced off in the second round.
Although Dallas ultimately won the hard-fought series in seven games, Marchment gained valuable insight into just how passionate and loud fans in the Emerald City can be.
“It was fantastic,” Marchment remarked during a Zoom call on Tuesday. “The fan base immediately makes an impression. It was incredibly loud in there for the three games. It was also a challenging place to play. So, it`s going to be exciting to be on the other side of that.”
The 30-year-old winger matched his career high last season by scoring 22 goals. Marchment is entering the final year of his current contract, which carries a $4.5 million cap hit. This contract situation, in part, led the cap-constrained Stars to make the trade.
A native of Uxbridge, Ontario, Marchment spent the first half of his six-season NHL career playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers. Marchment didn`t view the trade from Dallas three seasons into his four-year deal negatively.
“It`s a business, and that`s something I understand completely. I`ve been around it my entire life,” Marchment stated. “Some changes were needed, and it just so happened to involve me. I don`t take it as a slight at all. There are teams out there that want you, which is always a positive thing. It`s simply part of the game. You follow where it takes you, but I`m genuinely excited to begin in Seattle and start playing.”
Marchment has the potential to be a solid top-six forward for the Kraken. Under new head coach Lane Lambert, the Kraken organization hopes not only to return to the playoffs in the 2025-26 season but also to become a more physically engaged team that makes better use of the talent already on the roster, following the departure of Dan Bylsma after one year as head coach.
Marchment enjoys contributing on the forecheck, playing defensively against opposing puck-carriers on the backcheck, and eagerly anticipates performing these roles for Seattle.
“Those are aspects of my game that I take pride in and strive to perform well,” Marchment noted. “So, if I can contribute in those ways, it will be excellent. Also, getting to the front of the net and making it difficult for the goalie is huge. Small things like that are what help teams win games and qualify for the playoffs.”
With training camp still months away, it`s not yet clear precisely where Marchment will fit into the Kraken`s forward lines. However, he`s already starting to learn about Seattle`s roster through defenseman Brandon Montour, who was previously a teammate of Marchment`s in Florida.
Marchment is also getting acquainted with Seattle itself. The city in the Pacific Northwest will transition from being an occasional stop on the road to Marchment`s new permanent home – a place where he is expected to make an immediate impact.
“I`m certainly looking forward to getting down there and meeting everyone,” Marchment shared. “For me, it represents a fresh opportunity and a good start, and that`s always something to be excited about. So, I`m really looking forward to it, and hopefully, we can improve as a team and reach the playoffs.”
Tristan Blackwood