NHL Seattle ‘getting close’ on name, colors and logo, ESPN reports

SEATTLE — NHL Seattle is “getting close” on a name, colors and a logo, according to ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski.

Wyshynski reports the team is going through the legal process, which is led by the league.

“Then it’s just making sure we’re sensitive to the community,” VP of communications Katie Townsend told Wyshynski. “We don’t want to be tone-deaf. We want to make sure the mood is right.”

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Wyshynski said the ongoing coronavirus interrupted the franchise’s marketing calendar, but said it is targeting June for a renewed ticket push.

During a virtual happy hour earlier this month, general manager Ron Francis said his people were working hard with the trademark and getting it through the league, but they would likely wait to make the announcement.

“There’s a lot of people in our community experiencing some challenges, so we certainly want to be very respectful and sensitive and think about when is the right time to share our name with everybody,” Francis said.

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Rumors about the team name and logo have circulated since the franchise was awarded to Seattle in 2018.

In Nov. 2019, Sportsnet reported the Oak View Group had registered 13 domain names, giving fans a hint at what the proposed team might be named:

Seattle Cougars

Seattle Eagles

Seattle Emeralds

Seattle Evergreens

Seattle Firebirds

Seattle Kraken

Seattle Rainiers

Seattle Renegades

Seattle Sea Lions

Seattle Seals

Seattle Sockeyes

Seattle Totems

Seattle Whales

Seattle previously had a hockey team and some credit that team for changing hockey forever. The Seattle Metropolitans became the first American team to win the Stanley Cup in 1917.

One thing you will notice missing in the list above is the name Metropolitans. There is currently an NHL division that goes by that name.

The Seattle franchise is slated to begin play in the 2021-22 season.

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