Kraken make final payment to officially become NHL's 32nd team

The Kraken have officially been released.

The Seattle franchise made its final expansion payment Friday to formally become the NHL's 32nd team, the league announced.

"On behalf of the board of governors, I am delighted to officially welcome the Seattle Kraken to the NHL as our 32nd member club," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.

"Congratulations to David Bonderman, the Bonderman family, their partners, the entire Seattle Kraken organization, the city of Seattle, and Kraken fans as the club continues on its exciting journey towards puck drop in October."

The Kraken are now permitted to begin building their roster through trades and signings, attend league meetings, vote on rule proposals, and receive confidential league information.

The NHL expansion draft is reportedly set to take place July 21 and teams are required to submit their protected players lists July 17.

Seattle will begin its inaugural campaign in 2021-22.