Eberle expects Kraken to be more motivated in 2023-24

Jordan Eberle expects the Seattle Kraken to be more driven this season after a heartbreaking second-round loss in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs left a sour taste in their mouths.

"It was kind of funny going around this summer and people (were) congratulating (us) on the season, but really, we were pissed off," he said Monday. "You get to that point where, any time you get past the first round, you see the light at the end of the tunnel - it's almost achievable, it becomes real. When it doesn't happen, it's a tough settling in your stomach."

He added, "I know this group for sure felt that and felt rattled about how it ended. I think it should add to (the) motivation this year. I'm sure it added to guys' training this summer, I'm sure it added to the intensity of the group, and, more importantly, just the confidence of the group, that we can get there."

The Kraken turned heads after dispatching the Colorado Avalanche - the reigning Stanley Cup champions and Central Division winners - in the opening round. Seattle then faced the Dallas Stars in the second round but ultimately fell in a spirited seven-game set.

The spring marked the Kraken's first appearance in the playoffs following a sophomore campaign that was significantly better than their inaugural season:

Though general manager Ron Francis is pleased his squad has made "a lot of progress" through two seasons, he knows Seattle faces an uphill battle in the competitive Pacific Division.

"Nobody sat on their hands all summer. All the other teams did the same thing we tried to do and get better," he said Saturday. "We're not going to surprise anybody. I think they understand we're for real. It's a tough league. We hopefully can pick up and do what we did last year.

"I think our guys are hungry to do that; hopefully we can continue to do that and show our fans we're one of the better teams in the league."

The Kraken will open their 2023-24 campaign against the Vegas Golden Knights, who lifted Lord Stanley's Mug a mere four months ago.

Seattle head coach Dave Hakstol pushed back against the idea that an early matchup against the defending champs would help him gauge the caliber of his team.

"I've got nothing but respect for the depth and quality of their team, but we're not looking for measuring sticks," he said. "It's the first game of 82. You're working to be a playoff team. ... There's no freebies, you can't waste any points."

Puck drops on Seattle's third season Oct. 10 in Vegas at 10:30 p.m. ET.