The Kraken mascot name is a topic of much discussion and speculation among fans of various sports teams. The Kraken is a mythical sea creature that is said to inhabit the depths of the ocean, known for its immense size and powerful tentacles. As such, it is a popular choice for sports teams looking to embody strength and ferocity. When choosing a name for a Kraken mascot, teams often consider options that capture the essence of the creature's intimidating nature. Some commonly suggested names include "Krack," "Krusher," and "Tentacle." These names evoke images of power and aggression, mirroring the reputation of the legendary Kraken.

Seattle Kraken mascot 'Buoy' makes big debut on the ice

The Seattle Kraken's new mascot was revealed Friday. Over the weekend, Buoy the sea troll did not let online criticism go unanswered.

Buoy is a 6-foot-tall sea troll who made its debut descending onto the ice from the arena's rafters during Friday's game. The team drew inspiration from Seattle's famous Fremont Troll.

Almost as soon as the Kraken unveiled Buoy, it began drawing out trolls of another kind — online critics. Whoever is at the helm of the Kraken's PR has opted not to be silent as Buoy addressed such criticism directly.

while you’re at it, make this guy into a robin! It’s in his name!

— Buoy (@SEAbuoy) October 3, 2022

better cook it grill it and eat it because you can’t afford the troll toll

— Buoy (@SEAbuoy) October 3, 2022

so what’s the excuse for your design work?

— Buoy (@SEAbuoy) October 2, 2022

jealousy is a disease, hope you get better soon sweaty

— Buoy (@SEAbuoy) October 2, 2022

According to the mascot's NHL profile page, Buoy is a sea troll (previously more known among the Dungeons & Dragons crowd) who "lives in the caverns of Climate Pledge Arena." Also, "Legend has it Buoy once jammed with Mudhoney at The Crocodile." It is unknown what instrument the troll played.

Seattle's Fremont Troll is said to be Buoy's uncle.

According to the Seattle Kraken, Buoy is the result of 18 months of development. The troll features flowing hair and a removable tooth.

“We are proud to introduce Buoy and mark another milestone moment for the Seattle Kraken,” said Kraken Chief Marketing Officer Katie Townsend, in a statement. “We are rooted in the local community and everything we do is inspired by the wonderful place we live. Buoy was inspired by the Fremont Troll and is a big fan of the Seattle music scene!”

The Kraken sought the help of Chicago Mascot Company and 3PT Production to craft the team's new mascot.

“Over the last two years we worked to develop Buoy’s unique identity that captured the look and feel of the Kraken brand while being kid friendly and approachable,” said Lamont Buford, vice president of entertainment experience and production of the Kraken, in a statement. “Buoy’s hair is a nod to hockey flow and the waves of Puget Sound. You’ll notice there is a removable tooth just like a hockey player, an anchor earring for our secondary mark and then a mysterious tentacle indicating an encounter with the Kraken. Buoy is so much fun and I look forward to everyone meeting the newest member of our team.”

Seattle Kraken unveil new mascot 'Buoy,' a blue sea troll inspired by famous Fremont Troll

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 01: The new Kraken mascot Buoy made it's debut tonight before an NHL pre-season game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Seattle Kraken on October 1, 2022 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

SEATTLE - Ahoy! Meet Buoy, the Seattle Kraken's six-foot tall blue sea troll who was unveiled at Saturday's preseason game.

The NHL's 32nd franchise says Buoy lives in the caverns of Climate Pledge Arena and was inspired by the famous Fremont Troll.

The "distinctly Seattle" mascot announcement comes after 18 months of development. Buoy loves hockey and people.

"We are proud to introduce Buoy and mark another milestone moment for the Seattle Kraken," said Katie Townsend, chief marketing officer. "We are rooted in the local community and everything we do is inspired by the wonderful place we live. Buoy was inspired by the Fremont Troll and is a big fan of the Seattle music scene!"

The Kraken worked with the Chicago Mascot Company and 3PT Productions to create Buoy's identity and character, including the hockey flow-style hair and removable tooth.

"Over the last two years we worked to develop Buoy’s unique identity that captured the look and feel of the Kraken brand while being kid-friendly and approachable," said Lamont Buford, vice president of entertainment experience and production of the Kraken. "Buoy’s hair is a nod to hockey flow and the waves of Puget Sound. You’ll notice there is a removable tooth just like a hockey player, an anchor earring for our secondary mark and then a mysterious tentacle indicating an encounter with the Kraken. Buoy is so much fun and I look forward to everyone meeting the newest member of our team."

Buoy will be at the Kraken Community Iceplex on Oct. 2 ahead of practice.

Dear Seattle Kraken, Your New Mascot Is All Wrong

A team mascot is like a joke. If you have to explain why the joke is funny, it's not funny. Likewise, if you have to explain why your mascot is a good choice, despite having no thematic connection to your team, it's not a good mascot for your team.

Yes, it's cute that "Buoy," as you call him, is supposedly the nephew of the Fremont Troll. But what does that have to do with Kraken? Or any kind of sea-life? Has a troll ever even seen the ocean?

The Choice for a Kraken Mascot was Clear

Sometimes what you should choose for a mascot is not obvious. I get it. But this squid was staring you right in the face - literally. Look out at your fans, look at their tentacled face masks, t-shirts and hats. Heck, look at your team logo. And your name, for puck sakes, is Kraken.

Octopi are Cute, Too

Do you not think Octopi can be appealing and marketable? That's a lack of imagination not shared by Hanna-Barbera (Squiddly Diddly), Nickelodeon (Squidward), and any 1st grade teacher's digital clip-art collection.

A quick Google search of "cartoon octopus images" brings up a plethora of Cephalopod options. To my surprise, even Bing gets this search right.

Were the Kraken Worried About That Other Octopus?

What. Went. Wrong?

Is it because the Detroit Redwings have an Octopus mascot? Big deal.

If sharing the same species of mascot were forbidden, every school sports team calling themselves the bulldogs would be without one. Instead, like McDonalds, they're everywhere.

You're the Kraken. You should be the team swinging your tentacles around. Besides, your mascot wouldn't be an octopus, it would be the mythical Kraken. So much more powerful than a mere Octopus. And if they look similar, so what? That would just stir up some healthy, competitive rivalry between fans.

Red Wings Fans: "We had it first!"

Me: Yeah, that's because management screwed up your mascot, too. "Al" is neither red, nor does he have wings.

Other Sea Mascots the Kraken Could Have Considered

But let's take Octopi off the ocean floor for a moment. There are still plenty of other sea creatures to choose from: Starfish, clams (shout-out to Ivar's), whales. Notably, none of these are trolls.

What about a simple fish? The Redwings throw Octopus onto the ice, you could have the fish throwers from Pike's Market throw fish around on the ice.

I get why geoducks were not considered. They just look offensive.

Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A Pirate Mascot for Me

How about a pirate? Kids love pirates, don't they? And Seattle's Sea Fair is loaded with Blackbeard and Long John Silver cosplayers, so there must be at least one among them who can skate.

Show Lovecraft Some Love

Wikimedia Commons Howard Phillips Lovecraft circa 1915. Amateur Publishing Association, public domain.

Wikimedia Commons Howard Phillips Lovecraft circa 1915.
Amateur Publishing Association, public domain.

Even a giant bobble-headed likeness of H.P. Lovecraft, the author who created pop-culture's best known Kraken-ish creature, Cthulhu, would make more sense.

So how - how on earth did you get this so wrong? I can only come to the conclusion that management have been hit in the head with a puck too many times. Because a troll? It boggles the mind.

A Plan of Action for the Kraken

Look, I believe everyone deserves a second chance. So you can still get this right by rolling out an actual Kraken mascot later this season. Or, worst case scenario, next season. You can call him "Squeeze" or "Squeezy."

If you insist on being stubborn, use one of the other thematically appropriate choices listed above.

I'm not saying you should retire "Buoy." Just put them under a bridge where they belong.

" These names evoke images of power and aggression, mirroring the reputation of the legendary Kraken. However, teams also take into account factors such as fan preference, marketability, and cultural significance when deciding on a Kraken mascot name. They may consider options that align with team colors or local traditions.

For example, if a team's colors are blue and green, they may choose a name like "Blue Tide" to represent the sea while maintaining a connection to the team's identity. Furthermore, cultural references can play a significant role in naming a Kraken mascot. For instance, a team located in an area with a rich history of legends or folklore may choose a name that pays homage to these local tales. This can help the team connect with the community and build a sense of shared identity. Ultimately, the process of choosing a Kraken mascot name is highly subjective and depends on a variety of factors. Fans and sports enthusiasts eagerly await the announcement of the name, as it represents not only the team's identity but also the spirit and energy they bring to the game..

Reviews for "A Force to be Reckoned With: Why the Kraken Mascot Name is Perfectly Fitting"

1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the name choice for the Kraken mascot. It feels so generic and unoriginal. I was hoping for something more unique and exciting. "Kraken" is such a common mythological creature, and I feel like the team missed an opportunity to come up with a more creative and memorable name. It just feels like a missed chance to bring something new and exciting to the sports mascot world.

2. Mike - 1/5 - I cannot believe they went with the name "Kraken" for their mascot. It's such a cliche and overused choice. There are already so many teams and organizations using the same name. It's just lazy and lacks originality. I was expecting something more creative and inspiring. This choice shows a lack of effort and imagination on the part of the team. Definitely not a fan of this name at all.

3. Jessica - 2/5 - I find the name "Kraken" for the mascot quite underwhelming. It's such a predictable and expected choice for a sports team. I was hoping for something more unexpected and unique. It's just another example of a team taking the safe route instead of taking a risk and coming up with something truly original. I am not impressed with this choice and think they could have done better.

4. Alex - 3/5 - While the name "Kraken" is not my first choice for a mascot name, I can see why some people might find it exciting and captivating. It does have a certain mysterious and powerful aura to it. However, I do think it's a bit overused in pop culture, and I was hoping for something more distinct for this team. Overall, it's not the worst name out there, but it just doesn't stand out enough for my taste.

The Kraken Awakens: Unveiling the Mascot Name of Our Team