Head coach Dan Bylsma has experimented this season with sitting some players to send a message, often seeing dividends when they return. Today, we’re focusing on the “third” line featuring Shane Wright, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Eeli Tolvanen to see how this trio has jelled since Wright and Bjorkstrand were held out of the lineup for varying lengths of time. First, let’s look at each player individually.

Shane Wright

Earlier this season, we analyzed Shane Wright’s progression. At that time, Wright was doing the (W)right things but wasn’t putting up points, tallying just two through his first 10 games. Over the next few weeks, he still wasn’t producing, and his ice time dropped from 13:33 to a season-low 8:34 on Nov. 16.

Recognizing the need for a “reset,” Bylsma benched Wright for three games. The coach said this on Wright’s development: “He’s matured as a player over the last year and a half. But in training camp, he was playing his best hockey as a Kraken, and he just needed to reset and get focused on playing that way again.”

Since rejoining the lineup, Wright has been on fire, averaging a point per game with 12 points in his last 12 outings.

Oliver Bjorkstrand

Before Wright’s healthy scratching, Bjorkstrand faced a similar fate, being benched for one game against the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 5. Bjorkstrand struggled offensively early in the season, posting just five points in 13 games. Upon returning to the lineup on Nov. 8, he has amassed 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 19 games. More notably, 13 of those points came in the last 12 games, coinciding with Wright’s return.

Bjorkstrand is now on pace for 28 goals, potentially tying his career best. There are two key takeaways from this pace:

1. In his previous 28-goal season with Columbus, Bjorkstrand averaged nearly 18 minutes of ice time per game. This season, he’s averaging just 15:27, highlighting his efficiency.
2. Most of his production has been at 5-on-5. Bjorkstrand has only five power-play points, accounting for 23 percent of his total, compared to 34 percent over the last two Kraken seasons. During his recent 12-game scoring burst, four of his 13 points came on the power play (31 percent).

Eeli Tolvanen

Like Bjorkstrand and Wright, Eeli Tolvanen faced early season struggles. Though he hasn’t watched a game from the press box, Tolvanen had only six points through Nov. 23. Since Wright’s return, Tolvanen has recorded nine points (three goals, six assists) in 12 games. With eight goals on the season, he’s on track for his first 20-goal campaign, a possible career high.

Tolvanen has also seen a reduction in his ice time, averaging 13:34 per game—1:30 to 2:00 less than his average over the last two seasons. Despite this, he has still found success. He continues to contribute both offensively and defensively, maintaining his value on the ice.

Emergence of the third line

The Kraken coaching staff has experimented with different line combinations due to injuries, illnesses, and matchups. The Wright, Bjorkstrand, and Tolvanen line has now played together for 22 games, the second-most consistent line for Seattle this season. Per Moneypuck.com, they lead all Kraken forward lines with 4.15 goals per 60 minutes (minimum 50 minutes played). Defensively, they’ve been strong, allowing only three goals during those 22 games.

The most frequent line was Tye Kartye, Yanni Gourde, and Brandon Tanev, who played 26 games together but are currently split up as the Kraken search for a more sustained scoring threat.

5-on-5 play

Over the last 12 games, the Wright line has excelled at cycling the puck, forcing turnovers, and creating high-danger chances. All eight of their 5-on-5 goals during this stretch have come from the high slot or in front of the net.

Here are some example goals. From left to right: Bjorkstrand goal, Tolvanen goal, Wright goal.

These clips highlight the chemistry between the forwards and emphasize what coach Bylsma describes as “connected play.” Seven of their eight goals included either Wright, Bjorkstrand, or Tolvanen providing the primary assist. The lone exception was a deflection goal by Bjorkstrand off a Montour shot, but both Wright and Tolvanen were involved in winning the face-off and controlling the puck.

Power play

While this trio doesn’t play on the same power play unit, they’ve combined for 12 power-play points and seven goals during this span. Wright and Tolvanen, who both play on the second power play unit, continue to excel when on the ice together.

Ice time increasing

The trio’s success has resulted in increased ice time. Using Nov. 25 (Wright’s return from his “reset”) as the cutoff, here is each player’s average ice before Nov. 24, after Nov. 25, and an average of the last three games.

Will they stick together?

As this article was being written, news broke of the Kaapo Kakko trade, which could once again shuffle the lines. Injuries, game-day matchups, and roster changes ensure no line is ever truly set in stone. However, in the short term, the Wright, Bjorkstrand, and Tolvanen line has emerged as Seattle’s most productive combination. With all three on pace for career-best seasons, the hope is that this combination can stay intact and continue delivering results.

Despite their strong individual and collective performances over the last 12 games, the Kraken have gone just 5-6-1 during this stretch. For Seattle to find sustained success, they’ll need more consistent production from the rest of the lineup.

If you have any questions, thoughts, or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments below or reach out to me on my socials. My handle is blaizg on multiple platforms.