The Seattle Kraken have made the difficult decision to place goaltender Philipp Grubauer on waivers, signaling the culmination of his tumultuous tenure with the franchise. This move, officially announced on January 30, 2025, follows Grubauer's disappointing performance on January 29, where he allowed five goals on just 22 shots during the Kraken's 6-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
Grubauer's struggles this season have been notable, as the once-promising 33-year-old netminder now holds a record of 5-15-1, with abysmal statistics, including a 3.83 goals-against average and .866 save percentage. These figures have placed him at the bottom of the league rankings among goalies who have played at least 17 games, prompting the Kraken to take drastic action.
Upon signing with the Kraken before their inaugural season, Grubauer entered the organization as the team's potential backbone, particularly after being named a Vezina Trophy finalist with the Colorado Avalanche just prior to his move to Seattle. Hopes were high, yet expectations met stark reality. Through four seasons, he has registered 151 games with the Kraken, resulting in a 54-76-12 record, 3.10 goals-against average, and .890 save percentage. Crucially, he has never once reached the .900 save percentage mark during his time with the expansion franchise.
Grubauer's performances have not only fallen short statistically but have raised concerns among Kraken management, as General Manager Ron Francis and Head Coach Dan Bylsma witnessed Daccord's emergence as the go-to option between the pipes. The shifting dynamic had led Daccord to start the past ten games consecutively prior to Grubauer's last outing. Reflecting on Grubauer's recent outing, Coach Bylsma acknowledged the team's struggles, stating, "We hung him out to dry… Just too many pucks he didn’t have a chance on." Despite expressing some level of sympathy, Bylsma's acknowledgment of Grubauer's performance compared to Daccord has made the choice to waive him less surprising.
The financial ramifications of Grubauer's removal from the NHL roster are significant. Grubauer's hefty contract, which includes two seasons remaining with a cap hit of $5.9 million, makes it very unlikely for any other team to claim him off waivers. The Kraken are poised to assign him to the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds if he clears waivers. This move would allow Grubauer to regain his form away from the pressures of the NHL.
While this demotion offers Grubauer the opportunity to regain his confidence and possibly return to the Kraken, the long-term forecast does not seem optimistic. The Kraken may lean toward buying out his contract after this season—a process expected to last four years, with certain financial penalties involved. A buyout would clear him from the roster and make him a free agent, but Seattle would still incur some cap hits over the following seasons, indicated by PuckPedia’s projections.
Grubauer's inclusion on the Firebirds roster theoretically allows him to get back on track. Still, speculation remains about his future as the Kraken seem to embrace Daccord as their potential franchise goalie. With Daccord already demonstrating solid performances, including his own 17-12-2 record and .917 save percentage, it's doubtful Grubauer would reclaim the starting role he once held. The Kraken’s recent moves suggest confidence has waned, and now it’s time to keep pressing forward without him.
Reflecting on Grubauer’s commitment to the Seattle community, it is evident he was active off the ice—engaging with fans and partaking in various outreach initiatives, solidifying his place within the fanbase. Those who paid close attention were reminded of moments where his skills emerged, but consistent challenges with performance overshadowed those glimmers of hope. During the same game where he faltered against the Ducks, it is worth recalling the emotional aspect of his mother traveling from Germany to see him play, illustrating the personal stakes involved.
With the Kraken continuing to seek synergy within their roster, the decision to waive Grubauer sends ripples through the organization. How the rest of the season will pan out, both for Grubauer and the Kraken, remains to be seen. The goal is clear: the organization aims to anchor itself amid competition, and making tough calls like waiving Grubauer is part of shaping their future.
Looking beyond this decision, should he clear waivers, Grubauer has the chance to prove himself at the AHL level and regain the form expected from him. His prowess as seen sporadically could reignite his pursuit of the NHL, especially if development inspires rejuvenation potential. For now, as the Kraken navigate their roster following all necessary adjustments, it’s clear the stakes remain high.