'They set a high bar': Can Kraken follow in Golden Knights' footsteps?

The Seattle Kraken have a tough act to follow as they enter their inaugural NHL season after the Vegas Golden Knights made the Stanley Cup final in their first season.

Can they come close to matching what Vegas did in its first season in 2017-18?

It seems preposterous to think Seattle is going to find the same combination of talent, skill, luck and a little magic to make the kind of run the Golden Knights did four years ago, getting to the Stanley Cup Final in their first year.

"Yeah, everyone wants to get there. So that's obviously everyone's goal at the start of the season," Seattle defenseman Mark Giordano said. "Obviously, they set a high, high bar."

Whatever Seattle accomplishes in its first season, there is genuine excitement and buzz about the release of the Kraken. From the tentacle logo with the menacing red eye to the brand new arena, the Kraken should give the NHL a winner off the ice with the foundation that's been laid heading in Seattle's first game on Oct. 12.