The second group of Seattle Kraken players to skate in a preseason game performed much better than the first group, which was destroyed 6-1 by an unimposing Calgary Flames roster on Sunday. Still, that second group of Kraken came out on the losing end to the Canucks, though this contest had a more palatable 3-1 final score.
It was the second very feisty game Seattle has played, suggesting that coach Dan Bylsma’s emphasis on physical play could differ from that of former coach Dave Hakstol.
Here are Three Takeaways from a 3-1 Kraken preseason loss to the Canucks.
Takeaway #1: Fisticuffs and shenanigans
There were plenty of extracurricular activities in this game, including two fights and several skirmishes of varying intensity. Bylsma said after Sunday’s game that he wanted his team to be the aggressors when it came to physicality, rather than reacting later in the game, as the Kraken did against the Flames. Well, it seems he can just throw John Hayden into the lineup, and he’ll get his wish.
Hayden demonstrated why he’s valuable to the Kraken on Tuesday and made a strong case for being kept around as a depth forward.
After Logan Morrison was blindsided by a hit from 6-foot-6 Vilmer Alriksson, Hayden quickly jumped over the boards and wasted no time going after the much bigger forward. It was a spirited fight that lasted nearly a minute.
Later in the game, when fellow giant Tyler Myers—whom Hayden fought in last year’s preseason after Myers injured Matty Beniers the season before—went after new prized defenseman Brandon Montour, Hayden again came to the rescue. He quickly intervened, wrestling Myers away from Montour.
Then, as Brandon Tanev fought Mark Friedman after several earlier attempts, who was at the center of the commotion? You guessed it, Hayden.
Now, is fighting the most important part of hockey these days? Certainly not. But how many times last season did we see bad hits go unpunished by Seattle? How often did opposing teams come into Climate Pledge Arena and push the Kraken around? If nothing else, this team is sending early signals that it won’t back down from a physical game, and Hayden’s willingness to constantly be in the middle of the action can only help his chances of staying on the NHL roster.
Takeaway #2: Ben Meyers impresses
Another player competing for one of those elusive final roster spots is newcomer Ben Meyers, who—like Hayden—fits the mold of a potential 12th, 13th, or even 14th forward. The 25-year-old, 5-foot-11 forward has 67 career NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche and Anaheim Ducks, and 62 AHL games with the Colorado Eagles.
Chandler Stephenson had been centering the line between Andre Burakovsky and Jaden Schwartz during training camp, but Meyers was surprisingly slotted into that line Tuesday while Stephenson stayed home. Bylsma indicated Tuesday morning that the switch had more to do with Stephenson than getting a look at Meyers, explaining, “Each one of us is in different stages of camp and bumps and bruises, and it’s just a quick adjustment.”
Bylsma also had glowing things to say about Meyers, though, whom he had faced several times previously at the AHL level.
“I have seen Ben play in two, three American League games,” Bylsma said. “I feared him playing in a few more against CV, because he brings speed, brings intelligence, he brings a lot of—in his own way—compete. And so I don’t have to fear it anymore, I can expect it.”
All that talk made me wonder if the team did want to get a good, hard look at what Meyers could do. Sure, he was filling in for Stephenson, but Meyers was placed in a position to succeed between two veteran players.
Meyers made good on his opportunity, scoring Seattle’s lone goal off a 2-on-1 rush with Schwartz just 10 seconds into the third period. He nearly tied the game with six minutes left after another partial break with Schwartz.
I’m not ready to say Meyers is pushing for a spot on the team, but it’s encouraging to see players get a chance and make the most of it. If he doesn’t end up making it, he showed Tuesday he could be relied upon in a pinch.
Takeaway #3: Andre Burakovsky looks awesome
I’ve been keeping a close eye on Andre Burakovsky in camp because… well… he’s hard to miss out there. He has been flying around, looking stronger and faster than we’ve ever seen him in Kraken colors.
The oft-injured forward confirmed that he had a productive offseason, where he was able to focus on training rather than rehabbing injuries, as he did the two previous summers.
I wondered how his practices would translate into game action, and he did not disappoint on Tuesday. Burakovsky was everywhere, and when he had the puck, he looked dynamic, making it seem like the Canucks had no chance of taking it off him.
Aside from creating the above chances, Burakovsky led the Kraken with three shots on goal and came within inches of tying the game with three minutes left, only to be thwarted by a sprawling Arturs Silovs save.
Please stay healthy! Please stay healthy! Please stay healthy!
Bonus Takeaway: Strong start by Brandon Montour
I’ve loved what I’ve seen from Brandon Montour so far. He’s slick on his skates and makes a lot of smart decisions with the puck. He was a big addition for this club.
Burakovsky looked like the guy who finished last season strong and led the Kraken in scoring for the first 50 games of their 100 point season… and then got injured. Very encouraging.
I could not care less about preseason scores… Burakovsky, Montour, Wright… they all look good.
Go Kraken!!!
Right? I don’t think I have ever felt this jazzed about a loss before. Burakovsky was completely his old self again, and I had no idea that Montour was going to be THAT good. They looked like a couple of Cup-winners. But it’s early–way too early to be getting too excited. Let’s see how the rest of the preseason goes.
I loved what Meyers brought to this game. I didn’t think Ty Nelson looked too out of place out there. Did anybody else see that or am I wrong? Also, the coaches seemed to show enough confidence in Sale to have him out there as much as we was, and the announcers called his name several times. Once negatively with Edzo pointing out a mistake. And Rehkopf got alot of TOI as well, for a newbie.
100% agree with Nelson. Seemed very comfortable, and looked like a 3rd line NHLer in my book.
There were at least a few times I watched Nelson deliver a hit (or take a hit) in which the Canuck player seemed to realize that the short defenseman is in fact a boulder. I’m not sure what his ceiling is, but I don’t think there’s any question that he can physically handle the NHL just fine.
It was nice to see Yanni come out and cause chaos right off the bat on his line’s first shift. I do hope they re-sign him…I know he hasn’t produced a ton of goals but he brings a lot that doesn’t show up on the score sheet. If they don’t I could see Kartye stepping into an agitator role in the future
Montour…. (french chef kiss) This squad looked way better than Sunday’s. It’s too bad the scoring isn’t translating, yet. Hopefully they’ll get that worked out because it looks full of potential. Stezka = not too bad either.
Please hockey gods let Burky play 80 games this year
Only caught the condensed game but yes, I checked my program a few times to remind myself who #79 was, as he looked good. After what another poster said about Evans lately, and what i witnessed from Fleury and Majura, I wonder if they give Nelson a long look-see before inevitably assigning him to CV.
Also, it is just me or does anyone else believe they should give Catton the 9 NHL games to see if he can juice up the Kraken offense now, instead of waiting a year?
The big question in my mind after that game was, “who is Maxime Lejoie, and why I have I never heard his name before?” Even with the penalty, the guy looked ready to play hockey. I hope that Coachella Valley has roster space for a twenty-six year-old, because fans of defense are going to love him if what I noticed last night is any indication. He handles the puck surprisingly well, and he actually wins one-on-one battles with NHL forwards.
Really encouraging to see more physicality and fight from the Seattle Kraken compared to Geometry Dash Lite last season. Hayden bringing that edge is a big plus, and Meyers definitely made the most of his opportunity.