Kraken Forward Ryan Winterton Takes Leave of Absence Amid Career-High 18 Points

Seattle Kraken forward Ryan Winterton is taking a temporary leave of absence to attend to a family matter after recording 18 points in 62 games this season.

SEATTLE — The Seattle Kraken announced on Monday that forward Ryan Winterton will take a temporary leave of absence from the team. The 22-year-old skater is stepping away to attend to a family matter, according to an official club statement. This Ryan Winterton leave comes during a breakout campaign for the young athlete, who has established new personal benchmarks across several statistical categories.

Through 62 games this season, Winterton has registered a career-high 18 points, consisting of four goals and 14 assists. This workload represents a significant increase in usage compared to his previous two years in the NHL, during which he appeared in a total of 19 games for the Seattle franchise. The team confirmed that no additional details regarding the nature of his departure will be shared at this time.

Contract Extension and Player Development

The timing of the Ryan Winterton leave follows a major commitment from the organization. Just last month, the Kraken secured the forward's services by agreeing to terms on a two-year contract extension. This deal ensures that the player remains under contract with the Seattle Kraken through the conclusion of the 2027-28 season.

General manager Jason Botterill has publicly praised the forward's trajectory and his ability to adapt to the professional level. Botterill highlighted the player's steady improvement, specifically noting how he utilized his skating speed and a reliable two-way game to solidify a regular spot in the lineup. The front office viewed his development as a key component of the team's depth chart moving forward.

Impact on Western Conference Standings

Seattle currently finds itself in a tight race for postseason positioning in the Western Conference. The Kraken trail the Nashville Predators by four points for the second wild-card spot. With only 13 games remaining on their regular-season schedule, every roster adjustment carries significant weight for their playoff aspirations.

Despite the four-point deficit, Seattle holds a slight scheduling advantage with one game in hand over Nashville. The loss of Winterton’s speed and defensive reliability forces the coaching staff to adjust their rotations during this critical stretch. The team must navigate these final dozen-plus matchups while maintaining their pursuit of a wildcard berth without one of their most improved contributors.

Career Statistics and Team Role

Winterton’s 62 appearances this year nearly triple his combined experience from his first two NHL seasons. His 14 assists demonstrate a playmaking ability that has complemented the Kraken’s offensive depth. By carving out a specific role as a two-way threat, he became a fixture in the bottom six before this announced absence.

The organization’s statement on Monday emphasized the temporary nature of the leave, though no specific timeline for a return to the ice was provided. As the Kraken prepare for their final 13 contests, the focus remains on supporting the player through his family matter while attempting to close the gap on the Predators in the standings.