Site icon Sound Of Hockey

Monday Musings: It can’t get any worse

John Barr

Just when you think it can’t get any worse, it does. The Kraken went 1-3-0 over the last week, with two of those losses standing out as some of the worst games the team has ever played—a pair of 6-2 defeats in Columbus and Detroit. In classic 2024-25 Kraken fashion, it was one disastrous period in each game that sealed their fate. They surrendered four goals in the second period against Columbus and another four in the first period against Detroit. In those stretches, the Kraken looked out of sync, outclassed, and outcoached, resembling a 90’s expansion team.

You could also include the first period of the game against the Buffalo Sabres, where they allowed two goals and were outshot 15-7. While not quite as disastrous as the other two games, it was still a rough period. I hate to be so harsh, but those three periods stand out as some of the worst hockey this team has played all season.

To their credit, and consistent with what we have seen from the Kraken all year, they didn’t quit and battled through the rest of each game. However, in the cases of Columbus and Detroit, it was too little, too late. Certainly, injuries have taken a toll on this team. You might also excuse some of the sluggishness in the Detroit game as it was the second game of a back-to-back. But the issues run deeper than that.

Missing Yanni Gourde

I mentioned it last week, but this team really misses Yanni Gourde. While I don’t know how vocal he is in the locker room, his on-ice energy and effort often seem to inspire the team. The Gourde line has consistently set the tone, and in his absence, that spark has been missing.

In the last three games he played, the Kraken went 2-0-1, with his line providing a jumpstart when the team needed it most. Gourde also seems to deliver crucial energy boosts in pivotal moments. Unfortunately, while he’s eligible to return from injured reserve, he is not with the team on this road trip, and his return remains uncertain.

All eyes on the trade deadline

While I’ll continue rooting for the Kraken for every remaining second of the season, it’s hard to ignore the looming trade deadline on March 7. It seems likely that both Brandon Tanev and Yanni Gourde will be traded. Those are the obvious names, but could there be others?

I’ve loved Jaden Schwartz’s play this year. He’s been one of the team’s bright spots and could be an appealing trade target for a contender. With a Stanley Cup win (Blues, 2019) under his belt and one year remaining on his contract at $5.5 million, Schwartz could fetch a solid return if the Kraken decide to move him.

Another player that could be appealing for playoff teams is Oliver Bjorkstrand. He is tied for first on the team with 13 goals and is the type of depth scoring that could be attractive to teams that think they are Stanley Cup contenders. The thought of Oliver not being on this team pains me, but you’ve got to consider just about anything at this point, and for the right price, no one is untouchable.

The bigger question is what the Kraken are looking for in return. They had two huge drafts in 2022 and 2023, picking up nine first- or second-round selections, and seem to have had another solid draft in 2024. Do they want to stockpile more draft picks, or are they targeting younger players on the cusp of breaking into the NHL?

I’ve been championing a deal for Nick Robertson since the beginning of the season. Toronto might be a logical landing spot for Yanni Gourde, and a deal involving Robertson could make sense for both sides.

While trades will start to pick up in late January and early February, most of the action will likely happen closer to the trade deadline in March. Stay tuned—this next stretch could shape the Kraken’s future.

Other musings

Goal of the week

Logan Morrison had nice spin move to get a couple whacks at a puck and eventually put it in the net for Coachella Valley.  

Players of the week

Berkly Catton (SPO/SEA): The Kraken’s first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft had an incredible performance on Saturday, racking up seven points in a single game against the Wenatchee Wild.

Lleyton Roed (CVF/SEA): The undrafted free agent signed by the Kraken last spring continues to impress, tallying two goals and three assists in two games over the weekend. Roed now has 11 points in his last 10 games.

Carson Rehkopf (BRA/SEA): Since returning from the World Juniors, Rehkopf has been on fire, recording six points in just three games.

The week ahead

The Kraken will snap out of this funk eventually, but the road ahead doesn’t get much easier. They’ll face a desperate Pittsburgh Penguins team on Tuesday, followed by a tough matchup against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday to close out the road trip. After that, the Kraken return to Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday to take on the Los Angeles Kings.

While I’m still rooting for wins, what I’d most like to see this week is consistency throughout the games—even if the results don’t go the Kraken’s way.

On a positive note, I’m excited to see the continued progress of Shane Wright, Matty Beniers, and Kaapo Kakko. All three have been playing some of their best hockey of the season, and they look poised to become key parts of the future core of this franchise.

It can’t get any worse… can it?

Exit mobile version