The Seattle Kraken introduced a new mascot to its hockey franchise this week and Metro Vancouverites are ripping the concept to shreds.
On Tuesday (Oct. 4), the Seattle Kraken unveiled "Buoy," a towering, blue-haired troll with some goofy features. The team introduced Buoy in a video.
At the beginning of the video, the Seattle team tosses around ideas for the future mascot. One person suggests that the team uses the Seattle SuperSonics mascot, which was the city's former National Basketball Association team. It was a hugely popular sasquatch named Squatch, but the group promptly dismisses the idea as they are holding out hope that the Sonics will return.
After this, they get some advice from various athletes. Jeeday Dallas, the running back for the Seattle Seahawks, suggests using the actual Kraken, but the kids reply that it is "way too big" and no one has ever seen it.
Next, an octopus at the Seattle Aquarium playfully quips, "Me? I don't ink so!" adding that the Detroit Red Wings mascot is already an Octopus named Al.
Finally, the kids, who are filmed sitting on the city's massive and beloved Fremont Troll, realize a troll would be the best representative for the team. Buoy energetically descends from the rafters, kicking out its legs and waving around all the way down to the ice.
Oh Buoy, this is going to be good! 😉
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) October 2, 2022
Welcome to The Deep, @SEAbuoy! pic.twitter.com/ZNCNfqn4iR
Vancouver hockey fans react to troll fail
Scores of locals have commented that the mascot should be a Kraken and not a troll. While the introductory video provides an explanation as to why the team didn't go with the mysterious Kraken, many people feel highly disappointed by the decision.
But why is it a troll and not a … kraken? 🤔 #buoy #nhl
— Erica (@_EricaDawn) October 2, 2022
A few fans even shared ideas for how they thought the Seattle team would depict the Kraken.
Watched the #canucks debacle in Seattle last night, including the lowering from the rafters and debut of Buoy, their new mascot. I thought I would see what #dalle2 could create instead of the troll they introduced. pic.twitter.com/thBmWPcN3O
— John Lyotier (@lyotier) October 3, 2022
Oh Buoy 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/B0U9cN2uGO
— Bo Captain, My Captain! (@BrokenFlash8) October 2, 2022
Some people aren't wondering why the mascot is a troll. Instead, they are simply remarking that it is among the worst mascots in the league.
Quite possibly the worst mascot in the league
— Raj Chamberlain (@ChamberlainRaj) October 2, 2022
Dude I Can't believe it. The mascot for a team named Kraken was an absolute lay-up, and then this hahaha
— Pedwell (@ace_bradley) October 3, 2022
Ugly ass mascot Seattle!! Vancouver Canucks one way better!!
— Mr. Leo (@CarlosJ88943577) October 2, 2022
Other people have expressed some mix of terror and disgust for the blue character.
Just got my first good look at #Kraken mascot #Buoy and I can honestly say I will not be sleeping well for a very long time.
— Comrade Big Joe Burke (@BigJoeBurke) October 5, 2022
I've only blocked two words on Twitter (I believe)..... Trump and Buoy
— Sean J. 🇨🇦⛳️ (@sean_johal) October 7, 2022
I was half expecting the mascot to be a salmon knowing that’s popular around the pier. I did not want nightmare fuel be ignited by Buoy though
— Aidan Calhoun 🇺🇦 (@MetalHockeyFan) October 4, 2022
One local man went after the name "Buoy," remarking that the team named the mascot after the "nautical equivalent of a pylon." Oh, snap!
Buoy the Mascot?!?! You named your mascot after the nautical equivalent of a pylon.#SEAKraken #NHL https://t.co/7BN0zIgpC6
— Nathan Durec (@ndurec) October 2, 2022
Finally, when it comes to having no mascot or Buoy the troll, one Vancouverite says nothing could be worse than the blue troll.
Could be worse.. you could have the @SeattleKraken mascot!
— Justagirl (@onesweetmare) October 3, 2022
