The Kraken ended the week on a high note, sending us into the 4 Nations Face-Off break with a thrilling come-from-behind win against the Calgary Flames. That game marked the seventh time this season the Kraken have erased a two-goal deficit to win—a feat they accomplished more times this season than in the previous three seasons combined—and they still have 25 games remaining.
In my opinion, the Seattle Kraken’s ability to never quit is what makes this team so enjoyable to watch, but it’s also part of the frustration. They can compete with any opponent for stretches of a game, giving us glimpses of their potential.
Coincidentally, the Kraken nearly pulled off another two-goal comeback earlier in the week against Detroit at Climate Pledge Arena. They scored twice in the final 10 minutes of regulation to force overtime but eventually lost in a shootout. Despite the loss, it was an exciting game to watch. Both Shane Wright and Matty Beniers found the back of the net, while Chandler Stephenson tied the game with his 10th goal of the season with under three minutes left in regulation. On Saturday in Calgary, Wright also had a goal and an assist to lead the comeback charge, and Beniers had the game-winner in OT.
Sandwiched between the shootout loss to Detroit and the overtime win in Calgary was a lackluster effort against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It wasn’t the Kraken’s best game, but they didn’t mail it in either. They trailed 3-0 midway through the second period but got an early third-period goal to make things interesting. Toronto is a talented team with high-end players, and even though their “big four” didn’t score, their presence was felt as they controlled most of the play.
If you had told me heading into the week that the Kraken would take three points from three quality opponents, I would have been happy—and I am. This team continues to compete, and with Shane, Matty, and Kaapo Kakko, I’m still fully engaged as we head down the stretch.
The Kaapo Kakko impact
As everyone should know by now, Kaapo Kakko has been on a resurgence since his trade to the Kraken in mid-December. I’ve previously highlighted the production difference between his time in Seattle versus New York this season, but here’s a quick summary:
The numbers are even more striking when isolating the last 20 games. There’s no doubt he’s been a bright spot over the past six weeks. The Kakko-Beniers-Jaden Schwartz line has been clicking, so let’s take a look at Kakko’s impact on their numbers as well.
Matty’s points-per-game average has risen slightly from 0.515 to 0.583, but his goal production has more than doubled in nine fewer games played. If you extrapolate his nine-goal pace over 24 games across a full season, it projects to a 30-goal pace for Matty.
Shane Wright is staying hot
Another bright spot in recent months has been the emergence of Shane Wright. With two more points on Saturday night, he now sits at exactly a point per game over his last 10 outings. Since being a healthy scratch back in November, he has steadily produced, never dipping below a .5-point-per-game average over any 10-game span.
Between Kakko, Beniers, and Wright, you can see a young core starting to take shape—one that should give fans plenty to be excited about for the rest of the season.
Other Musings
- Saturday’s game against Calgary was the 35th time this season the Kraken allowed the first goal. They continue to lead the league in that category.
- I’m starting to warm up to the idea of the Kraken extending Yanni Gourde. The team needs a center next season, and Yanni has been a great leader since the inaugural season. It doesn’t need to be a “team-friendly” deal—just a fair one. As with any veteran contract, the term will be the tricky part.
- Since Yanni went down with an injury, the Kraken’s penalty kill is just 64.3 percent. It was 77.8 percent before his injury.
- Shane played 1:26 in overtime against Detroit last Tuesday—the most OT ice time he’s had all season. He was sitting on two goals at the time, so I wonder if it was an attempt to get him a hat trick or part of a new overtime strategy.
- On Saturday, Shane and Matty both scored in the same game for the fourth time in their careers. The Kraken have won three of those four games, with the only loss coming in the shootout against Detroit.
- I continue to wonder about Kaapo Kakko’s next contract.
- Philipp Grubauer is 2-0 with a .933 save percentage in his first two starts with the Coachella Valley Firebirds since being reassigned.
- In case you missed it, check out the Seattle Kraken trade deadline primer, which categorizes players by their likelihood of being moved.
Goal of the week
This entire play was a thing of beauty—and it was even better to witness in person last Tuesday.
#SeaKraken make it interesting. A Tanev stretch pass connects with Stephenson who goes across the goal mouth unencumbered to make it 4-4 with just under three to play
— Alison Lukan (@alisonl.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Player performances
- Berkly Catton (SPO/SEA) – A regular in this section, Catton posted eight points in two games this past weekend, including a four-goal game against the Seattle Thunderbirds.
"My goodness was that a work of art" 🎨
#27 with goal 27 on 2/7 and that's the first 4-goal game in @TheWHL for Berkly Catton.#GoChiefsGo | @SeattleKraken pic.twitter.com/kMNHQwyBjI
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) February 8, 2025
- Carson Rehkopf (BRA/SEA) – Another frequent mention, Rehkopf, the Kraken’s 2023 second-round pick, had a six-point night against the Erie Otters. “Razor” remains one of my favorite prospects because he can score from anywhere.
Ready for a wild stat? 🤓#SeaKraken prospect Carson Rehkopf of the @OHLSteelheads scored the 10th hat-trick of his #OHL career on Friday, part of a six-point effort that brings him to 30 goals on the season! 🎥 pic.twitter.com/LNBmNQ2sbJ
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 8, 2025
- Jani Nyman (CVF/SEA) – “Li’l Jani” continues to impress in his first full North American season, recording five points in his last four games. Of all the Kraken prospects, I believe he has the best chance of making the NHL roster next season. Hopefully, we get a glimpse of him at some point later this year.
The week ahead
The entire league is on break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Kraken won’t play again until Feb. 22, when they take on the Florida Panthers. I don’t know how many of you are excited to watch the 4 Nations Face-Off, but I certainly am—especially the USA versus Canada matchup on Saturday.
There likely won’t be a Monday Musings next week—unless your comments inspire me.
My sense is Kaako will opt for a 1 year prove it deal, hoping that this success can continue and he can cash in. I’m personally hoping for more of a bridge 3-4 year deal. I love Beniers’ game the past few weeks — the dude is ripping it towards the net. He was overpassing at the beginning of the year, but no longer!
I think Eberle needs to reunite with McCann on Wright’s line when he returns. Along with Schwartz-Beniers-Kaako, that is a nice 1-2 punch. I also like Bjork-Gourde-Tolvy, which leaves a leftover line of Burky-Stephenson-Tanev, at least until 1 or 2 of these players are traded.
I was extra impressed by their comeback when playing without their best D for most of the game (Montour didn’t return after the first period). Dunn really stepped up, like the good old days.
Agree with your overall observation Boist.
Go Kraken!!!
If he opts for a one-year I expect he will take it to unrestricted free agency. That’s my worst-case scenario.
Yep. Kakko is a RFA this summer and UFA in 2026. He’s only making $2.4m this year on a “one year prove it” contract handed out by the NYR. So far in his career Kakko has not earned anything near what his draft pedigree would hint at. No doubt Kakko is glad to be out of the NYR mess, but he is at the point where he has to make up for the “lost” income. Meanwhile the Kraken have their own issues to solve, most importantly the future core of the team where Kakko just so happens to fit in hand in glove. I expect a 4 year contract at a respectable cap hit. Maybe 4x $6.5m (or perhaps a little more given that the cap is going up over the next few years). That’s 1 RFA year and 3 UFA years and takes him to age 28. Anything less and the Kraken risk losing Kakko to UFA imo.
I would pay Kakko whatever it takes to get a 4 year deal.
Keep in mind, Burakovsky was also good for around a half year but has been a huge disappointment overall. Plus Kaako has a longer track record of mediocrity on a much better team. He is younger and I’d like to believe he’s blossoming, but also I don’t want to give out yet another dumb anchor contract as soon as we get some cap space to someone who had a few good months.
Burakovsky is an interesting comparison because his 3 years in Colorado that covered age 25-27 were fantastic. A 4-year deal for Kakko would be age 24-27.
I agree that resigning Kakko is a high priority. However….
While I’m sure KK feels “reborn” as a player with the Kraken, I also wonder if his view of the likelihood of Kraken franchise being a consistent, playoff-contending team going forward will determine his willingness to sign a long-term deal with the team. If he’s only willing to sign a one-year contract, then we’ll know the answer. I agree that KK desires something like the 4 x $6.5mm AAV you suggested, but I’m pretty sure there are teams more than willing to sign him that contract (and more), especially given the increase in the salary cap going forward. So how high are the Kraken willing to go? Per Boist we can’t afford another “Burakovsky scenario”.
The team couldn’t just let him walk as compensation for Kakko would likely be just a 1st and 3rd round pick – probably in the lower end of each round. Although it seldom happens, the “least worst” scenario could be a sign and trade deal enabling the Kraken to acquire high-end prospects (i.e. future core players) rather than just draft picks.
Based on the McCann trade rumors today, I’m guessing Kakko is in the future plans and McCann is the odd man out.
That would be insane.
McCann trade rumors? Haven’t heard about those, but that would be interesting. I’m not sure why The Kraken would trade Canner when he scores 30-40 goals and his hit is only $5m over the next two seasons. That seems crazy. We have plenty of draft picks and prospects.
I have a feeling Kakko has found a home in Seattle. I’d be shocked if we don’t come to an agreement of at least three years.
Personally I’m not really putting any stock into the McCann trade “rumor.” All this speculation is stemming from some Winnipeg Jets reporter’s tweet saying McCann MIGHT become available before the deadline. There are no corroborating reports or anything. From an observer’s point of view it doesn’t really make much sense to trade McCann right now anyway: a team starved for offense shouldn’t be trading its leading scorer, and dealing McCann while he’s having a down season (by his standards) would be front office malpractice and goes against Francis’s MO for trying to maximize value in trades. Even if Seattle goes all-in on the youth movement, they’d be better served holding on to McCann until he bounces back.
To your point, with Beniers-Schwartz-Kakko they finally have a line that works; Kakko’s addition (and Schwartz’s recent play) has certainly helped Benier’s development – he DOES seem like a different player the past couple of months. I hope the team sees that and figures out a way to keep KK.
Thank you for the update on the kids. I am hoping for higher draft picks