Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn sustained an injury during the team’s 6-4 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 17. Dunn has since been placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). Per the Sound Of Hockey Twitter intern, “Vince Dunn just went down the tunnel. He took an awkward fall on his last shift and looked uncomfortable on the bench.” That happened with about five minutes remaining in the first period.
Vince Dunn just went down the tunnel. He took an awkward fall on his last shift and looked uncomfortable on the bench. #SeaKraken
While Dunn played the second period, he did not play a shift in the third. Head coach Dan Bylsma described the injury as a mid-body issue and initially said his removal from the game was “precautionary.” But Dunn was later placed on LTIR, retroactive to Oct. 17, meaning the earliest he can return is the Nov. 12 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. As the team’s top-pairing defenseman and power-play quarterback, his absence will be felt on the blue line.
Following the Kraken’s 2-1 overtime win against the Calgary Flames on Oct. 19, in which Dunn did not play, he was seen walking stiffly in the background of a Sportsnet After Hours interview with Kraken captain Jordan Eberle. The full interview with Eberle is worth watching, though it’s unrelated to Dunn’s injury.
While I’m not a medical professional, it’s clear from the video that Dunn is experiencing discomfort while walking.
LTIR primer
Long-term injured reserve (LTIR) is an NHL mechanism that allows teams to temporarily exceed the salary cap. To be eligible for LTIR, the injured player must be expected to miss at least 10 games and 24 days. When a player is placed on LTIR, the team receives cap relief equal to the injured player’s annual average value (AAV) minus the amount of available cap space the team has.
For example, if a team has a player with a $5 million AAV and $1 million in free cap space, the team can exceed the salary cap by up to $4 million while the player is on LTIR.
It’s important to note that LTIR relief does not accrue and cannot be saved for future use. The LTIR pool is only available while the player remains on LTIR. Once the player is healthy, the team must be cap compliant again, and LTIR relief is no longer accessible.
How this affects the Kraken
In the Kraken’s case, Dunn’s $7.35 million AAV and the team’s minimal cap space of just $4,286 (yes, that’s four thousand, not four million) resulted in an available LTIR pool of $7,345,714. This amount is calculated by subtracting the Kraken’s free cap space from Dunn’s AAV.
The LTIR pool is money the Kraken can spend, but it’s important to remember that this pool is temporary. The Kraken can use the LTIR pool to recall players from the Coachella Valley Firebirds, which they did when they brought back defenseman Cale Fleury on Oct. 21. This pool provides roster flexibility by allowing the Kraken to add players up to the 23-player limit as needed. However, it is not intended for the Kraken to sign a $7 million player to replace Dunn. Before Dunn’s injury, the Kraken were limited to a 21-player roster due to their tight cap situation, and that limitation will continue once he returns.
The #SeaKraken have recalled defenseman Cale Fleury from Coachella Valley.
Additionally, the team has placed defenseman Vince Dunn on long-term injured reserve (retroactive to 10/17). pic.twitter.com/JLVUBs4bSz
It is interesting that the Kraken have yet to recall a forward from Coachella Valley, even though they have the LTIR pool available to use. There are a couple potential reasons for this:
The Kraken may be waiting until their upcoming road trip to Montreal on Oct. 29, as they are currently in the midst of a five-game homestand.
The next player called up from Coachella Valley might be a younger player whom the Kraken want to continue getting playing time in the AHL rather than having be a healthy scratch.
On a recent Sound Of Hockey Patreon Mailbag podcast episode, there was a question about who would be the next forward called up to the Kraken. Here were the selections:
Ryan Winterton (Darren)
Jacob Melanson (John)
Ben Meyers (Curtis)
Other possibilities include John Hayden, Logan Morrison, and Lleyton Roed. If you would like to support Sound Of Hockey and gain access to special Patreon-only content, sign up here.
Cale carousel
Cale Fleury was with the Kraken for two days before being reassigned back to Coachella Valley on Oct. 23. He was recalled again on Thursday morning. We believe the purpose of sending Fleury down is to pause the clock on his NHL waiver eligibility. Players who have previously cleared waivers can play in up to 10 NHL games or remain on an NHL roster for 30 days before needing to clear waivers again. By sending Fleury down, the Kraken can extend this 30-day window. This move could indicate that Dunn’s recovery is expected to take longer than 30 days, or it could just be that the team is trying to get as much time with Fleury at the NHL level as possible before they have to put him on waivers again.
Defense without Dunn
During the 2023-24 season, Dunn missed 23 games due to injury. Seattle’s record during that span was a dismal 6-15-2. While this year’s team is better equipped to absorb his absence, Dunn’s absence remains significant.
Brandon Montour, a puck-moving defenseman, will run the top power-play unit and bring his offensive punch to the Kraken attack. Ryker Evans, who has made significant strides this season with five points (two goals, three assists) in the first seven games, will quarterback the second unit. Additionally, Josh Mahura has slotted to fill the hole on defense and provides stability and experience.
While Dunn’s injury is not ideal, the Kraken’s defense is in good hands with the additions of Montour, Evans, and Mahura. This combination of the three players can contribute offensively while maintaining a strong defensive presence.
Trade implications
While Dunn’s injury has created temporary salary cap flexibility due to the LTIR pool, it has also reduced the perceived urgency for the Kraken to make a trade to be able to roster more than 21 players. However, general manager Ron Francis has remained calm and not rushed a deal that would negatively impact the team.
Through the team’s early success and the temporary LTIR pool, Francis now has an extended window to assess possible trade options while maintaining the ability to call up players as needed. Any trade leverage other NHL GM’s perceived to have over the Kraken has been significantly reduced.
While the LTIR pool provides some breathing room, it’s important to note that it’s still a temporary solution. Once Dunn returns from injury, the Kraken will need to be cap compliant. Therefore, any trades made will need to ensure Dunn can be activated when fully recovered.
Sound Of Hockey’s own John Barr recently wrote about the cap, injuries, and potential trade candidates like Brandon Tanev and Yanni Gourde. Defenseman Will Borgen is another possible candidate for trade. These three players get pulled into trade rumors only because they are all in the last year of their contracts. Freeing up any of their AAV’s would give the Kraken the cap space needed to go up to the 23-player roster limit when Dunn returns.
Gourde and Tanev have been playing exceptionally well so far this season, which could increase their trade value. However, at the same time, they are part of the reason for the early success of the Kraken, so perhaps Seattle simply continues to operate with minimal flexibility even when Dunn comes back.
Dunn’s injury creates a challenge
While injuries are never a positive occurrence, Vince Dunn’s injury has presented the Kraken with a challenge, and they are making the best of it. The LTIR pool has provided temporary salary cap flexibility, allowing the team to maintain a competitive roster and explore potential trade opportunities with less urgency. This gives the Kraken the advantage of being more selective and patient in their decision-making.
If you have any questions, thoughts, or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments below, or reach out to me on the X @blaizg.
As the Seattle Kraken settle into the regular season, they have their sights set on a return to the playoffs. Last year, they were in the hunt for a wild-card spot until the final weeks of the season, but inconsistent scoring held them back. To address this, the front office made significant moves, including head coach and assistant coach changes, and two key free-agent signings—Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson—to help right the ship.
In a recent Sound Of Hockeyroundtable discussion, I predicted that the Kraken would finish with 95 points, a number higher than others on the panel. Why 95? Over the past 10 full NHL seasons (excluding those shortened by COVID and the lockout), teams reaching 95 points have made the playoffs 80 percent of the time. On paper, this season’s roster looks like the best in the young franchise’s history. A 95-point season is not out of reach and gives fans a realistic, exciting goal to root for as the year unfolds.
Team tiers
During last season’s playoff push, Sound Of Hockey categorized NHL teams into three tiers, setting target win percentages for each. I’ll be following a similar approach this season by sorting all 32 NHL teams into the following tiers:
Playoff Bound – Teams that are expected to comfortably make the playoffs. These are teams that surpassed 100 points last season and are likely to repeat that success.
Bubble – Teams fighting for a playoff spot, most likely battling for wild card positions.
Tankers – Teams likely to miss the playoffs, making them Seattle’s easiest opponents.
These tiers are fluid and will shift as the season progresses, with teams moving up or down based on their performance. In the NHL, only 16 teams make the playoffs—eight from each conference. With 10 teams currently classified as Playoff Bound, only six playoff spots remain available: three in the Eastern Conference (Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions) and three in the Western Conference (Central and Pacific divisions).
Breakdown of point percentages
The NHL schedule consists of 82 games, and when aligned with the team tiers, it breaks down into the Kraken playing 27 games against Playoff Bound teams, 35 games against Bubble teams, and 20 games against Tankers. While no game in the NHL is easy, earning wins against Tankers should be less challenging than defeating Playoff Bound teams. As a result, we can expect a higher point percentage from games against Tankers, a moderate percentage from Bubble teams, and a lower percentage from Playoff Bound teams.
These percentages will adjust throughout the season based on whether the Kraken are ahead of or behind their projected pace. For now, my projected point percentages for the Kraken break down as follows:
There are 164 possible points available in a full season (two points per game across 82 games). To reach 95 points, the Kraken will need to maintain a .579 points percentage. The purpose of these tiers is to highlight the quality of the opponents and to illustrate that losses are expected throughout the season. But Seattle should win far more often than it loses against Tanker teams and will still need to win a good portion of its games against Playoff Bound teams.
October targets
The regular season has begun with the Seattle Kraken facing tough competition right out of the gate. They have 11 games scheduled in October, with six at home and five on the road, and five of those games are against Playoff Bound teams. With only two games against Tankers, the Kraken will need to earn points against high-quality opponents to stay on pace. To stay on pace for their goal of 95 points for the season, they need to target 12 points out of a possible 22 in October.
Through three games, the Kraken are 1-2-0, having earned two points. With eight games remaining and 16 points possible, they need to secure 10 more points to stay on track for 95 points.
Playoff Bound – The Kraken have four games remaining against Playoff Bound teams, with a target of four points. Their opponents are the Colorado Avalanche (Oct. 22), Winnipeg Jets (Oct. 24), Carolina Hurricanes (Oct. 26), and Toronto Maple Leafs (Oct. 31).
Bubble – There are two games remaining against Bubble teams, with a target of three points against these teams. The Kraken need at least one win, but an overtime or shootout loss would suffice for the second game. The matchups are against the Nashville Predators (Oct. 15) and the Philadelphia Flyers (Oct. 17), who now feature rookie phenom Matvei Michkov.
Tankers – The Kraken face the Calgary Flames (Oct. 19) and Montreal Canadiens (Oct. 29), both currently in the Tankers category, though bordering on Bubble status. The target for these games is also three points.
Tracking progress throughout the season
We’ll be tracking the Kraken’s progress toward 95 points each month and analyzing how they perform against each tier. It’s still early, but there’s plenty of reason for optimism with the new additions to the roster.
One notable stretch to watch begins just past the mid-point of the season, running from Jan. 18 until the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off (see more about the event here). During this stretch, the Kraken play 11 games, nine of which are at home. Six of those games are against Pacific Division rivals, and five are against Tankers. This could be a pivotal moment when the Kraken’s playoff picture becomes much clearer.
If you have any questions, thoughts, or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments below, or reach out to me on the X @blaizg.
The Kraken capped off the first week of the season with a 0-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Sunday night. In their first three games of the regular season, they managed just two out of a possible six points in the standings. Despite this, I am encouraged by these early games. In their matchup against the St. Louis Blues, the Kraken looked like the better team for 55 minutes, with only a few defensive lapses that directly led to two of the three goals the Blues scored.
The Kraken showed resilience in the Minnesota game, coming back three times to force and eventually winning in a shootout. They also came back from a two-goal deficit to win, something they didn’t manage all of last season. The team seems more capable now, with a stronger belief in their ability to get back into games. Goals were hard to come by last season, and the challenge of coming back from a two-goal deficit might have seemed insurmountable. Now that they’ve done it, it should give them more confidence moving forward. I felt that same resilience show in the Dallas game, where the Kraken tried to come back from a two-goal deficit again. It’s obviously not a habit you want to fall into, but it’s nice to know the game isn’t over when the other team builds a two-goal lead.
Goaltending has been fine
I’m not suggesting that the goaltending has been outstanding, but it has been solid, and I wouldn’t pin either of the two losses on Grubauer. Joey Daccord’s performance, despite what the advanced analytics might say, was good. According to evolving-hockey.com, Daccord’s expected goals against was 2.98, but he allowed 3.83 (per 60 minutes). I don’t take issue with Evolving-Hockey’s numbers, but this is one of the challenges with public metrics—they don’t have passing data to factor in the difficulty of shot attempts that come off dangerous passes. More on this in a bit, but the goals from Ryan Hartman and Mats Zuccarello came from passes behind the net, which are extremely hard for goalies to track. I’m sure some Grubauer critics are ready to grind their axes, but relax—it’s early.
Areas of oppportunity
I’m sure the coaches are already doing some root cause analysis, but I see three areas that could be addressed in the coming weeks.
Penalty kill
The Kraken are currently 24th in the league in penalty kill percentage. However, they killed all three penalties against Dallas on Sunday, so the improvement might already be happening. In the St. Louis and Minnesota games, though, it felt like the Kraken were often out of position on the penalty kill, chasing the puck rather than holding their formation. Ironically, neither of the two power-play goals scored against them came directly from those instances, but the disorganization is something that needs to be cleaned up to avoid future struggles.
Power play
The Kraken are now 1-for-7 on the power play this season after going 0-for-4 against Dallas on Sunday. Once set up, the power play has looked more threatening than last season, but they’ve struggled to get set up. On Sunday, they managed six shot attempts in eight minutes of power play time, compared to seven shot attempts in three minutes on Saturday. This suggests some progress, but on Sunday they had trouble getting into their setup. This could be due to Dallas’s aggressive penalty kill or early-season adjustments as players learn each other’s tendencies.
One issue I noticed on the power play, and the data supports this, is that the Kraken are struggling to gain possession after faceoffs. While not a perfect proxy for possession, faceoff wins are a leading indicator. The Kraken have won only 31% of their power-play faceoffs, well below the league average of 54%. With an extra skater on the ice, this number should be higher. It’s something to keep an eye on over the next few games.
Unchallenged shots allowed from the slot
Whether it’s early-season rust or too many Jucy Lucys at Shamrocks the night before, the goals the Kraken allowed on Saturday were just too easy. Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman both scored off passes from behind the goal line, which are difficult for goalies to defend. Kirill Kaprizov had an easy path to the top of the crease to tip in a pass from the point, and Matt Boldy’s goal, while on the power play, came from having far too much time and space to get an unchallenged shot. This issue only popped up in the Minnesota game, but it was concerning. You don’t often see unchallenged shots from high-danger areas that aren’t part of a rush. The Kraken battled back but were lucky to get a win given the defensive breakdowns that led to goals.
Again, it’s only three games, but there’s a lot to be encouraged by—especially when compared to the first six games of last season, where they managed just two points. I’m not suggesting this is a playoff team yet, but they’re better than last season’s team.
Other musings
I audibly groaned when I found out Marc-André Fleury would be the starter for the Wild against the Kraken on Saturday. Going into that game, Fleury was 5-2-1 with a save percentage of .930 against the Kraken. He owned them.
Despite the public sentiment, the Kraken were decent in shootouts last season, winning three out of seven games that went to a shootout.
The Kraken never led in Saturday night’s win against the Wild—a feat they only accomplished once last season when they beat the Flyers in overtime at the end of December.
The boys were shut out on Sunday, but they’ve scored six goals in three games so far. That’s not a lot, but last year they only had two goals in their first three games. We still haven’t seen any goals from Oliver Bjorkstrand, Andre Burakovsky, Eeli Tolvanen, or Matty Beniers yet.
Shane Wright looks good, but not great. He seems to be building on each game and will probably be due for a couple of goals by the end of next week.
The Kraken Hockey Network’s studio is beautiful.
It was mentioned on the broadcast last night, but it’s nice to see the reconstruction of a fourth line that can create chances. Yanni Gourde, Brandon Tanev, and Tye Kartye are looking very good relative to their roles.
I saw that Nikita Kucherov had a hat trick over the weekend. Two of his goals were empty-netters, which I found mildly amusing.
After starting their WHL season 1-4-1, the Seattle Thunderbirds have won their last three games, including a big 6-5 win over the Portland Winterhawks. I’m not blaming the slow start on the goalie, but since returning from Buffalo Sabres training camp, goaltender Scott Ratzlaff is 3-0-0.
Do yourself a favor—make an effort to see Landon DuPont play for the Everett Silvertips this season. The exceptional-status defenseman has 12 points in nine games already, and he’s only 15 years old.
Player performances
Dylan Guenther – The former Seattle Thunderbird has five goals in three games this season, including the first goal in Utah Hockey Club’s history. Andrei Loshko – The 4th-round pick for the Seattle Kraken in the 2023 NHL Draft had five points in two games for the Niagara IceDogs in the OHL. He has 12 points in six games this season. Justin Kirkland – The 28-year-old has played 11 NHL games in his career and scored his first NHL goal over the weekend. I love stories like these.
Jared McCann scored his first of the season when he jumped on the ice as the extra skater during a delayed penalty. It was a huge goal for the Kraken and likely played a key role in their victory.
The Kraken came back from a two-goal deficit on Saturday, something they didn’t do at all last season. They also lost after being up by two goals when they allowed St. Louis to come back and win in the season opener. Last season, the Kraken won 82% of the games in which they took a two-goal lead at any point. Here are the % of wins based on a goal differential reached within their games.
The week ahead
The Kraken have one more road game against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday before returning home for a five-game homestand. They will face the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, and on Saturday they host the currently undefeated Calgary Flames. It’s a low bar, but I feel the team needs at least three out of a possible six points to feel good about the start of the season. Five points or more would be ideal and would put them back on a decent pace. It’s too early to overemphasize any set of games, but after last season’s slow start, it would be nice to not spend the whole year playing catch-up in the standings.
How is everyone feeling out there? Any of you starting to hit the panic button?
Welcome, new (and existing) hockey fans! As the Seattle Kraken enter their fourth season in the NHL, we at Sound Of Hockey wanted to create a primer to help fans get up to speed on the team and the game of hockey.
Team history
Seattle was awarded the NHL’s 32nd franchise on Dec. 4, 2018, and began play in the 2021-22 season. The Kraken have competed in three seasons, experiencing a mix of successes and challenges. The Vegas Golden Knights’ expansion success set unrealistic expectations, but the Kraken’s journey has been marked by ups and downs.
Season 1
After high preseason expectations, the Kraken fell well short of the playoffs in their inaugural campaign, finishing 30th out of 32 teams. In the NHL, 16 teams, the top eight from the Eastern and Western Conferences, qualify for the playoffs.
Season 2
The Kraken’s fortunes turned in their second season. General manager Ron Francis acquired Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the offseason and signed free agent Andre Burakovsky. Matty Beniers won the Calder Trophy as the league’s best rookie, scoring 57 points. With a balanced approach and four offensive lines, the Kraken achieved a 100-point season, clinching their first playoff berth.
Seattle fans experienced the thrill of NHL playoff hockey for the first time, including the excitement of sudden-death overtime. In their inaugural playoff series, the Kraken pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche, in seven games. Facing the Dallas Stars in the second round, they pushed the series to a decisive Game 7, but ultimately fell short. The hunger for Seattle to return to the playoffs is now deeply ingrained in Kraken fans.
Season 3
This time, the Kraken’s fortunes took a turn for the worse in their third season. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, including a franchise-best nine-game winning streak, inconsistent scoring ultimately hindered Seattle’s playoff aspirations. Although they were occasionally on the cusp of a playoff spot at different times during the season, they were unable to maintain the momentum and ultimately finished out of the postseason.
Overall, the Kraken underperformed in their inaugural season, exceeded expectations in season two, and were competitive in season three but fell short of their goals.
Key players
While the Kraken have seen roster turnover, several key players from their inaugural season remain with the team. Here are some of the top performers.
Forwards
Jordan Eberle (“Ebs”)
A veteran right winger, Eberle re-signed with the Kraken prior to last season’s trade deadline for two more years. His playing experience, leadership qualities, and popularity among fans make him a leading candidate to be named captain for the upcoming season. While the Kraken have been captain-less for the last two seasons, they are the only team in the NHL without a player wearing a “C” on his jersey. “Ebs'” leadership could provide a unifying force and further solidify the team’s identity.
Jared McCann (“Canner”)
The Kraken’s franchise leader in points with 182 is renowned for his scoring ability. With his lethal shot, you want “Canner” with the puck on his stick in high-pressure situations. His offensive prowess makes him a crucial asset to the team’s success. He scored 40 goals during the 2022-23 season, a career best and Seattle franchise record.
Matty Beniers (“Matty B”)
Beniers burst onto the NHL scene with a remarkable rookie campaign, scoring 57 points and winning the Calder Trophy. However, he faced challenges in his sophomore season, struggling to replicate his early success and finishing with 37 points. Despite this setback, “Matty B” is a promising two-way center with a balanced approach to both offensive and defensive play. His recent signing of a $50 million, seven-year contract demonstrates the team’s commitment to his development and future with the Kraken. He could be the face of the franchise one day.
Defense
Adam Larsson (“Big Cat”)
Larsson, an ironman defenseman, leads the Kraken in games played in franchise history. Known for his physicality and calming presence on defense, “Big Cat” is a reliable cornerstone of the team’s blue line.
Vince Dunn (“Dunner”)
Dunn, a puck-moving defenseman and power play quarterback, has led the Kraken’s defense in points each season. Known for his two-way play and willingness to drop the gloves for his teammates, Dunn is a valuable asset on both ends of the ice.
Jamie Oleksiak (“Big Rig”)
A towering defenseman at 6-foot-7, 257 pounds, Oleksiak is the largest player in the NHL. While known primarily for his defensive prowess, “Big Rig” also likes to jump up into the offensive zone. Despite his size, he moves surprisingly quickly thanks to his long legs and can catch opponents off guard with his stickhandling. His physical presence makes him a formidable opponent, and he’s a valuable asset on the penalty kill.
Goaltenders
Philipp Grubauer (“Gru” and “The German Gentleman”)
The veteran netminder who loves horses and spends time taking care of them when he is away from the rink often elicits a resounding “Gruuuuuuu!” from the crowd for his saves. “The German Gentleman’s” stellar performance was instrumental in the Kraken’s first playoff series win against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche. The Kraken need him to be excellent this season.
Joey Daccord (“Dac”, “Joey”, “The Mayor”)
The younger of the two Kraken netminders has impressed fans with his solid performances, often earning a “Joey, Joey, Joey” chant from the crowd after making a good save. Daccord is known for his ability to handle the puck and help the Kraken exit the defensive zone. Daccord had a breakout season last year, finishing sixth in the NHL in save percentage and goals-against average. He recorded a shutout in the Winter Classic and contributed to the Kraken’s franchise-best nine-game winning streak with eight wins.
Mascot – Buoy
Although Buoy, a fun-loving troll, is not a player on the team, he is the Seattle Kraken’s mascot. While Buoy’s initial reception was divided, Buoy has since won over fans with his flowing locks, removable tooth, slight belly, and playful antics. The Sound Of Hockey crew are strong advocates for Buoy, and his endearing presence has become an integral part of the Kraken’s identity.
Nicknames
Hockey players often adopt nicknames, which are typically derived from their first or last names with an “-er” or “-y” suffix. Fans quickly adopt these nicknames, making them a common part of hockey lingo when referring to players.
Excitement for the upcoming season (2024-25)
The Seattle Kraken are buzzing with anticipation as they prepare for the upcoming season. Here are some key reasons for the optimism.
Promising young talent
Shane Wright, the highly touted 2022 fourth-overall draft pick, is poised to play his first season as a full-time NHLer. While expectations should be managed, Wright’s talent is undeniable. Combined with promising young center Beniers, these two will form a dynamic one-two punch for years to come.
Veteran acquisitions
Center Chandler Stephenson and defenseman Brandon Montour, both signed to seven-year deals, add experience and stability to the lineup. During preseason, Montour was on display showing how he can help the Kraken at both ends of the ice.
Coaching changes
New head coach Dan Bylsma, nicknamed “Disco Dan,” brings a fresh perspective and a focus on boosting offensive production while maintaining the Kraken’s strong defensive foundation. His coaching staff includes Bob Woods, Jessica Campbell, and Dave Lowry. Curtis Isacke, described what Woods brings to the Kraken, who will run the defense and the power play.
The Kraken have demonstrated a strong track record in drafting promising young players in their early years as a franchise. NHL-eligible players can be drafted when they turn 18 years old. While over 200 players are selected during the NHL Entry Draft over seven rounds, only a small handful will make the NHL the following year. Most drafted players require further development in the junior (CHL) or minor (AHL) leagues for three to four years before cracking an NHL lineup.
With just three seasons under their belt, the Kraken’s prospects are beginning to mature. To date, Matty Beniers, a first-round pick from the inaugural draft, is the only drafted player to make the team full-time. For the upcoming season, Shane Wright and Ryker Evans are expected to join the roster. Ryan Winterton, a second-round pick from 2021, is also pushing for a spot and remains a strong possibility to play in some Kraken games this year but will start the season in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Many other Kraken prospects are developing with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. This team boasts 12 players under the age of 23, providing a valuable training ground for future NHL talent. Fans can follow the progress of Kraken prospects by streaming games from both the Firebirds and their ECHL affiliate, the Kansas City Mavericks, via subscription on FloHockey.tv. Players such as Jagger Firkus and Lleyton Roed will look to take the next step in Coachella Valley this season.
Ice Hockey: Rules and play
If you are truly new to ice hockey, this section is for you. Hockey is a fast-paced sport with constant player changes on the fly. It can be a bit daunting at first, but here are some excellent resources to help you understand the rules, the play, and the role of the referees.
KING 5 Seattle’s “Hockey 101” video is an excellent starting point for understanding the basics of hockey. It covers the key rules and the flow of the game.
Key rules and concepts
Offsides: A player is offside if they cross the opposing team’s blue line before the puck.
Icing: Occurs when a player shoots the puck past the center red line and far goal line without another player touching the puck. This results in a stoppage of play, and the team that iced the puck is penalized by not being allowed to change players. Play restarts in the defensive zone of the team that committed the icing.
Penalties: Penalties are assessed for various infractions, such as tripping, hooking, slashing, and interference. Penalties result in a player being sent to the penalty box, and the opposing team plays with a numerical advantage, called a power play. Most power plays last two minutes but can be four or five minutes depending on the severity of the infraction.
The Rink: The hockey rink is divided into three zones, separated by the blue lines: the offensive zone, neutral zone, and defensive zone. The goal is located at the back of the defensive zone.
Players: Each team consists of six players on the ice at a time, five skaters and a goalie. If a team gets a penalty, they skate down a player until the penalty expires.
The NHL partnered with Snoop Dogg to create a series of entertaining videos explaining the rules of hockey. These nine videos, which take about 25 minutes to watch in total, are a fun and engaging way to learn the basics of the game.
Referees and linesmen
There are four officials on the ice during an NHL game: two referees and two linesmen. Referees, identifiable by orange bands on their arms, primarily focus on penalties and determining if goals are scored. Linesmen monitor for offsides and icing and help break up extracurricular activities. While it’s common for crowds to boo officials as they enter the ice, it’s important to remember that referees have a very hard job. The game moves incredibly fast, and they need to make split-second decisions on whether or not to make a call.
Following the play
The Sound Of Hockey Podcast has discussed strategies for understanding the fast-paced nature of hockey, which involves players regularly exceeding speeds of over 20 mph. To follow the game effectively, it’s helpful to anticipate the puck’s movement and the overall flow of play. John Barr and Curtis Isacke have suggested focusing on a single position during a game to gain a deeper understanding of the various roles on the ice.
There are five skater positions: left wing, center, right wing, left defense, and right defense, usually identifiable based on where they line up for a face-off. Curtis, also known as @deepseahockey on multiple platforms, has created YouTube videos that highlight all shifts for a specific player on the ice. This is a valuable resource for focusing on individual positions and gaining insights into their roles and responsibilities.
The videos linked above feature players who are currently part of the Kraken organization, though some of the videos show players prior to their time with Seattle, meaning they are not wearing a Kraken jersey. While watching the videos, focus on the player’s jersey number to help learn each position. Note that due to TV angles, sometimes the player of focus is not always visible.
When first learning about positional play, it’s recommended to focus on even-strength situations (5-on-5 play). You can explore power play and penalty kill strategies later. If a team is on the power play, you will see it noted on the TV broadcast’s scorebug.
How to watch the Seattle Kraken
The ultimate Kraken experience is undoubtedly watching them live at Climate Pledge Arena. Witness the energy of the crowd, the electrifying atmosphere, and cheer on your favorite team in person. If you’re unsure where to sit, check out Sound Of Hockey’s helpful Kraken seating guide.
However, we understand that attending games isn’t always an option due to cost or other factors. Thankfully, there are convenient TV and radio options available to catch the action remotely.
Living in Washington, Oregon, or Alaska?
Great news! As a Kraken fan in the Pacific Northwest, you have several ways to catch the games.
Local Broadcast: The Kraken have a new partnership with KING 5 and KONG, which will combine to broadcast 72 of 82 non-nationally televised games, all available for free over the air.
Amazon Prime: For the first time ever, Seattle Kraken games will be streamed on Amazon Prime Video for Prime members in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.
Radio Broadcast: Sports Radio 93.3 KJR FM will broadcast the games in the Seattle area. Check here for affiliates in other areas.
Friend of the pod, Chris Smith (@icethetics) has created these handy info-graphics.
No problem! You can still watch the Kraken play with an ESPN+ subscription. This service allows you to stream most out-of-market NHL games, including the Kraken. For the number of NHL games you get with this service, it is a fantastic deal.
Nationally televised games
There are 10 Kraken games scheduled to be nationally broadcast on ESPN, ESPN+, ABC, Hulu, or TNT. To watch these games, you’ll need a subscription to the appropriate channel or streaming service. The full broadcast schedule can be found here.
How to stay updated on the Kraken
Look no further! Sound Of Hockey has you covered to stay connected with the Kraken and the NHL.
Weekly Podcasts: Dive deeper with insightful discussions and commentary from the Sound Of Hockey crew. Also available on Apple podcasts.
Social Media: Follow Sound Of Hockey on various platforms (Discord, X.com(@sound_hockey) for updates and engagement.
Patreon: Support Sound Of Hockey and gain access to exclusive bonus content.
Wrapping up
Congratulations on becoming a Kraken fan! You’ve now joined a passionate community that shares your love for the team.
Feel free to ask any questions you may have about hockey, the Kraken, or anything related to the team. We tend to gear most of our content on Sound Of Hockey toward more seasoned fans, but this is a safe space to discuss and learn together, so please comment below with any questions you might have. We’re excited to have you join the Sound Of Hockey family!
The summer heat may still be lingering, but the start of training camp brings with it a renewed sense of excitement for Seattle Kraken fans. Among the most anticipated prospects is Shane Wright, the fourth-overall pick in the 2022 draft. While a full-time roster spot isn’t guaranteed, Wright’s performance in training camp suggests he’s on the verge of making a significant impact. A strong showing is crucial to convince the coaching staff and front office that he’s ready for the NHL.
A unique development path
Comparisons between Wright and Matty Beniers are inevitable, given their similar draft positions. Granted exceptional status, Wright joined the OHL at 15, a rare feat achieved by only nine players in CHL history. The most recent example is Landon DuPont, who recently debuted for the Everett Silvertips. However, the pandemic disrupted Wright’s development, because the OHL canceled the 2020-21 season.
This meant Wright entered the NHL entry draft with two junior seasons compared to Beniers’ three years of experience (USHL, NTDP, NCAA). At 18, Wright had effectively outgrown the OHL but was not eligible for the AHL, and with only two years of junior hockey, the NHL was just out of reach. Due to the lost year and coming up just shy of the requirement to be eligible anyway, Wright was granted an exception during the 2023-24 season to play in the AHL and has now completed four years of developmental hockey (OHL, AHL) – aligning with Beniers’ trajectory.
Rookie camp
Despite not technically being a rookie, Wright embraced the “veteran” role in rookie camp last week, exhibiting strong leadership qualities and outshining his peers.
“I’m trying to be a mentor and leader for the younger guys coming in and help them out through the process,” Wright said, demonstrating a maturity beyond his years. His dedication was evident, not only in his on-ice performance but also in his willingness to assist teammates in acclimating to the professional environment. Recognizing his exceptional skills and experience, the Kraken decided to keep Wright in Seattle for additional training rather than sending him to the LA Rookie Faceoff.
ShaneWright (Photo/Brian Liesse)
Training camp
Wright has been frequently centering a line with wingers Tye Kartye and Jordan Eberle in training camp. This trio has shown promising chemistry, building upon the connection Wright established with Eberle during his eight-game stint with the Kraken at the end of last season. The line has consistently looked impressive in camp, showcasing Wright’s ability to keep pace with and contribute offensively alongside established NHL players. This is a positive indicator of his readiness for the upcoming season.
Leading by example
Despite his young age, Wright’s leadership qualities are undeniable. Whether it’s arriving early for practice, assisting teammates with drills, or cleaning up after practice, Wright consistently goes above and beyond. His dedication to the “little things” sets him apart from his peers. When asked about his early arrival, Wright shrugged it off, stating, “I like being early and don’t like being late. I take advantage of the free ice to shoot around and warm up.” His work ethic is evident in every aspect of his game, from his on-ice performance to his commitment to team culture.
While the final score of the preseason game against the Flames was a disappointment, there were several positive takeaways, including the standout performance of the Kartye-Wright-Eberle line. The line generated a team-high 11 shots on goal, showcasing their offensive potential. Their ability to cycle the puck and create high-danger scoring chances bodes well for the upcoming season. Kartye’s high-energy play provided a spark, allowing Eberle and Wright to cycle the puck effectively and generate offensive pressure.
Coachella Valley Firebirds
Wright spent the majority of last season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. In 59 regular-season games, he tallied 47 points (22 goals, 25 assists). His production surged in the playoffs, averaging over a point per game with 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) in 12 games. This impressive performance made him the AHL’s leading scorer among 19-year-olds.
The Firebirds, a two-time Calder Cup finalist, provided Wright with valuable playoff experience. He appeared in 36 playoff games over the past two seasons, gaining firsthand knowledge of the intensity and grind of postseason hockey. Although the Firebirds fell short of winning the Calder Cup, Wright’s experience in these high-stakes games will undoubtedly benefit him at the NHL level.
Head coach Dan Bylsma
The centerman’s 103-game experience (regular season and playoffs) under the guidance of current Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma is a significant advantage. Bylsma praised Wright’s development, saying, “How he improved, how he grew and how he plays is an advantage for him. Having had that experience, I know that I believe in and trust him as a player.” Bylsma’s familiarity with Wright’s tendencies and strengths allows him to deploy him optimally. The fact that Kartye also played under Bylsma could be a contributing factor to their line placement in camp.
Dan Bylsma (Photo/Brian Liesse)
Looking the part
Based on his performance last season and his start to training camp, Wright appears NHL-ready. He seamlessly skates alongside NHL players, demonstrating a level of skill and maturity that sets him apart from other prospects. Wright’s elite skillset, coupled with his unwavering work ethic and emerging leadership qualities, position him to make a significant impact at the NHL level. As training camp progresses, Wright’s trajectory remains positive, and he’s poised to earn a permanent spot on the Kraken roster come Oct. 8.
If you have any comments or questions, please leave them below. You can find me on the X at @blaizg.
Welcome to the first edition of Monday Musings for the Seattle Kraken’s 2024-25 season.
For those who don’t know, Monday Musings is my weekly column filled with half-cooked thoughts, insights, and, well… musings.
The season is here-ish
The dreaded hockey offseason is over, and we finally got to experience Kraken hockey for the first time in five months on Sunday. I was in pure bliss as I rode my Lime scooter to Climate Pledge Arena to watch some preseason Kraken hockey. I enjoy other sports, but nothing quite hits like hockey. Preseason games serve as a stress-free appetizer to the regular season, and while winning is fun, for me, the preseason is all about seeing how younger prospects compete against NHL veterans.
Last night, we got to see Berkly Catton, Jagger Firkus, David Goyette, Nathan Villeneuve, and Lukas Dragicevic all suit up for the Kraken. Dragicevic has since been returned to his junior team, the Prince Albert Raiders, while the other four are sticking around in Kraken camp, at least for now. While there were some mistakes from the group, there were also flashes of their potential. It’s exciting to see them without the immense pressure of winning or losing a regular-season game.
As the preseason progresses and the regular season approaches, we’ll start analyzing and scrutinizing the lineups and gameplay. But for now, let’s just celebrate the fact that hockey is back.
TV broadcast
On Sunday, we also got our first taste of the new Kraken Hockey Network (KHN). To be transparent, I didn’t watch it live but caught up with the broadcast Monday morning to share my initial reactions. As mentioned in the Signals from the Deep Podcast, we won’t see all the bells and whistles of the new broadcast until the final preseason game. The production quality in this first one felt very similar to Root’s broadcasts from last season, which is a good thing.
One notable improvement was the lack of the annoying audio-video sync delay that plagued past broadcasts. I’ve heard this issue was related to the NHL’s digital board advertisements. Since there were no digital ads in this broadcast, it remains to be seen if the delay will return once those ads are reintroduced.
The Kraken are betting big on the Kraken Hockey Network, and I’m excited to see how the final dress rehearsal goes and how the broadcast evolves over time. This is a massive undertaking, so don’t expect perfection right out of the gate. I encourage everyone to be patient. The most important aspect of KHN is the expanded access it provides to Kraken fans. With the move to over-the-air and Amazon Prime Video, the games are now available to 96 percent of households across Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. While I don’t know the exact percentage of homes that had access last year, I imagine it was significantly lower—likely under 50 percent.
Here is where you can find Kraken games over the next 30 days:
Signals from the Deep
I’m really excited about the reboot of the official Kraken podcast, Signals from the Deep, hosted by Piper Shaw. For whatever reason, last season’s version didn’t quite resonate with me. There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with it—it just didn’t click. I’ve mentioned this on the podcast before, but I think Piper has even more to offer the fans. Giving her another platform to share player and team stories is a great opportunity. She has a unique ability to get players to open up and show more of their personality than we typically see in interviews.
The first episode featured the one and only Alison Lukan and a fun interview with one of the Kraken’s newest players, Brandon Montour. While I think they still have a few kinks to work out, the show is headed in a great direction and should be a fun listen every two weeks. If you haven’t already, check out the first episode of this season.
Who will be captain?
Another major theme of the preseason will be who steps into the captain’s role. Based on Ron Francis’ comments during his postseason availability, it sounds like he wants to name a captain for the 2024-25 season. We’ve discussed it a lot, but the challenge is that there’s no clear frontrunner. My running theory has been that the team would sign Adam Larsson to an extension, then name him captain before the regular season begins. The first part of that plan is done, but after speaking with Jordan Eberle for an upcoming episode of the Sound Of Hockey Podcast, I think he’d be an excellent choice as well.
The complication with Eberle is that he’s only signed for two more seasons. However, he’s incredibly well-spoken, honest with the media, and I assume that translates to the locker room. While being a great speaker isn’t a requirement for being captain, what really stood out to me was how much Eberle understands the importance and opportunity of growing the hockey fanbase here in Seattle. For now, I’ll stick with my Larsson prediction, but Eberle would also make a fantastic captain.
Other Musings
I don’t put much stock into preseason or even early season lines, but the combinations taking shape look pretty exciting. Eberle and Shane Wright seemed to click last spring when Wright was called up toward the end of the season. Wright had a lot of chances inside the slot against the Flames.
Another line that looked good was Oliver Bjorkstrand, Matty Beniers, and Jared McCann, but that wasn’t surprising.
I could be wrong, but Nathan Villeneuve might be the Kraken’s first non-first-round draft pick to play a preseason game immediately after being drafted. He led the Kraken in shots and scored the only goal.
Each season, there’s usually a prospect or two I follow by watching their junior games. I can already tell Villeneuve will be one of them this year. He’s fun to watch and plays with a bit of an edge. They didn’t show it on the broadcast, but after Villeneuve scored, he gave Flames forward Dryden Hunt a little tap with his stick as they skated back to the bench. It seemed to annoy Hunt—exactly what Villeneuve wanted. He’s going to be fun to follow.
I was hoping we would get to see Tyson Jugnauth and Andrei Loshko in the lineup on Tuesday, but both were returned to their respective junior teams on Monday morning. Neither of them have an NHL contract but both looked good in training camp.
Aside from Jugnauth, Loshko, and Dragicevic, others sent back to juniors on Monday included Kaden Hammell, Julius Miettinen, Ollie Josephson, Clarke Caswell, Caden Price, Jakub Fibigr, and Alexis Bernier.
It’s way too early to draw conclusions, but Andre Burakovsky has looked impressive in training camp. Regular readers know I’ve always been a fan of his and believe he’s one of the best shooters on the team. His puck handling has stood out and should open up more shooting opportunities. If the Kraken are going to make the playoffs this season, a rebound year from Burakovsky will be crucial.
The only downside this weekend was hearing that one of the Kraken’s top prospects, Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, got injured in his first SHL game. Looks like he’ll be out for eight weeks.
The WHL kicked off this weekend, and the Thunderbirds played a fun opener in Vancouver. They took a 2-0 lead in the third period, only to give up three unanswered goals before scoring an equalizer with six seconds left to send it to overtime. Vancouver scored in overtime to claim the extra point.
Vancouver also played in Everett the following night for the Silvertips’ season opener. The Giants spoiled exceptional-status player Landon DuPont’s WHL debut with a 4-3 win over the Tips.
Make sure to keep an eye on Landon DuPont this season. He’s young, but he’s projected to be an elite talent, not just in the WHL but also in the NHL one day.
Goal of the week
Nathan Villeneuve led all Kraken players in shots on goal with five, including this one.
It’s so good to be back, and I’m still buzzing from being in the arena on Sunday. The next preseason game is Tuesday night when the Kraken head to Vancouver. In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts or reactions about the upcoming season in the comments below.
